Record #: R2016-46   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 1/13/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 1/13/2016
Title: Tribute to late Haskell Wexler
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2016-46.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, Haskell Wexler has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 93; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, Haskell Wexler was a renowned cinematographer, film producer and director; and

 

WHEREAS, A native of Chicago, Haskell Wexler attended the Francis Parker School in Lincoln Park; and

 

WHEREAS, After attending a year of college at the University of California, Berkeley and serving during World War II in the United States Merchant Marine, Haskell Wexler embarked on a career as a filmmaker; and

 

WHEREAS, After working on low budget docu-dramas, features, shorts and television commercials, Haskell Wexler moved to Hollywood in 1960 where he made his first feature debut on a major film, "America, America" directed by Elia Kazan; and

 

WHEREAS, Haskell Wexler went on to photograph some of the most influential and memorable films of the 1960s and 1970s; and

 

WHEREAS, Haskell Wexler won an Oscar for the films "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, "Bound for Glory," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and the documentary "Interviews with My Lai Veterans"; and

 

WHEREAS, Nominated often for Academy Awards, Haskell Wexler enjoyed a number of high-profile collaborations on films and was noted for his liberal viewpoints on both life and society; and

 

WHEREAS, Other films in Haskell Wexler's portfolio included "Medium Cool" and "In the Heat of the Night"; and

 

WHEREAS, The talent, hard work and dedication of Haskell Wexler serve as an example to all; and

 

WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Haskell Wexler to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and

 

 

WHEREAS, Haskell Wexler was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and

 

WHEREAS, To his wife, Rita Taggart, and his three children, Haskell Wexler imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this thirteenth day of January, 2016, do hereby commemorate Haskell Wexler for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Haskell Wexler.