RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Rony Monzon, a freshman at Phoenix Military Academy in Chicago, has been honored with the Junior ROTC Medal of Heroism Award; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of the Brighton Park community, Rony Monzon was presented with this prestigious award at the Academy by four-star General Robert W. Cone, the Commander of all Army training programs nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Rony Monzon was recognized for his selfless act of using his own body to shield a young woman from a hail of gunfire; and
WHEREAS, Rony Monzon was sitting on the porch of his Brighton Park residence on the night of July 11, 2012, sharing a pizza with his lifelong 14-year-old friend, when the attack suddenly occurred without warning; and
WHEREAS, The gunman came alongside the house, intent on targeting individuals across the street, when he apparently became startled and pointed a handgun at the innocent teenagers; and
WHEREAS, Without concern for his own safety, Rony Monzon instinctively jumped to his feet and positioned himself between the gunman and the young woman; and
WHEREAS, The bullets fired by the gunman struck Rony Monzon three times, entering his chest, arm and hip; and
WHEREAS, Rony Monzon was rushed to Mt. Sinai Medical Center where he was treated in the intensive care unit and fortunately made a full recovery, despite one wound which narrowly missed his heart; and
WHEREAS, Rony Monzon has been hailed as a true heroic example of sacrifice and friendship; and
WHEREAS, Rony Monzon was subsequently named one of Chicago magazine's "Chicagoans of the Year"; and
WHEREAS, The Phoenix Military Academy prepares young men and women to become citizen leaders and professionals of the future by instilling in them the discipline and training they need to succeed; and
WHEREAS, Rony Monzon is an inspiring example to his fellow cadets and all Chicagoans, both young and old; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this thirteenth day of March, 2013, do hereby salute Rony Monzon for this selfless act of bravery and for being a recipient of the Junior ROTC Medal of Heroism Award; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That March 13, 2012, shall be officially recognized as Rony Monzon Day throughout the City of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rony Monzon.