Record #: R2016-857   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 11/1/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 11/1/2016
Title: Tribute to late Kenneth Thompson
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2016-857.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth Thompson has gone to his eternal reward at the age 50; and

 

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

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth Thompson was the loving husband of Lu-Shawn; and

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth Thompson was the much-adored father of Kennedy and Kenneth Jr. to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and

 

WHEREAS, A native of New York, Kenneth Thompson graduated from John Jay College and New York University Law School; and

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth Thompson served as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Treasury Department Undersecretary for Enforcement in Washington, D.C., and as a federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York where he won a case against a New York City police officer accused of the 1997 beating and torture of a Haitian immigrant; and

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth Thompson enjoyed a high-profile career in private practice and co-founded the law firm Thompson Wigdor; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2013 Kenneth Thompson became the first African-American elected to serve as Brooklyn District Attorney after campaigning to restore confidence in the criminal justice system; and

 

WHEREAS, During his tenure in office, Kenneth Thompson established a Conviction Review Unit which moved to vacate or support the dismissal of 21 wrongly convicted people within only three years; and

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth Thompson also enacted a policy not to prosecute low-level marijuana possession arrests; and

 

WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Kenneth Thompson serve as an example to all; and

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth Thompson 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 beloved family, Kenneth Thompson 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 first day of November, 2016, do hereby commemorate Kenneth Thompson 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 Keimjbth Thompson.