RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Brendan Byrne 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, The Honorable Brendan Byrne was a crusading prosecutor who served two terms as the Governor of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, A native of West Orange, the Honorable Brendan Byrne was a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, the Honorable Brendan Byrne graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Brendan Byrne worked in the private sector before serving for nearly 30 years in numerous government positions; and
WHEREAS, During his two terms as Governor, the Honorable Brendan Byrne signed New Jersey's first income tax into law to fund public schools and authorized gambling in Atlantic City to create revenue for neighborhood renewal and other purposes; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his public life, the Honorable Brendan Byrne was known for his dignity, empathy for others and Irish wit; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the Honorable Brendan Byrne serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared the Honorable Brendan Byrne 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, The Honorable Brendan Byrne 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, Ruthi, his four sons, Brendan Jr., Timothy, William and Michael, his four daughters, Nancy, Mary Anne, Barbara, and Laura, and his 16 adoring grandchildren, the Honorable Brendan Byrne 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 seventeenth day of January, 2018, do hereby commemorate the Honorable Brendan Byrne 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 the Honorable Brendan Byrne.
