RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, James "Skinny" Sheahan, retired Chief of External Relations at , McCormick Place, former Director of Special Events for the City of Chicago and esteemed community and civic leader completed his thirty-fourth and final Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this accomplishment by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Bank of America Chicago Marathon was founded in 1976 by a small group of running enthusiasts meeting at the Metropolitan YMCA on LaSalle Street; and
WHEREAS, The annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon has since expanded to 45,000 registered runners from across the nation and around the world with an estimated 1.7 million on-course spectators; and
WHEREAS, James "Skinny" Sheahan has participated in all but five of the thirty-nine Bank of America Chicago Marathons; and
WHEREAS, James "Skinny" Sheahan, is a past president of Special Children's Charities/Special Olympics Chicago; and
WHEREAS, In his generous support of Special Children's Charities, a partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, James "Skinny" Sheahan through his annual participation, has helped raise significant funds for Special Olympics Chicago; and.
WHEREAS, Monies raised from the Chicago Marathon provide year-round training, recreational and social programs for adults and children with cognitive and/or physical handicaps; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career in public service, James "Skinny" Sheahan has worked tirelessly with many neighborhood organizations, civic associations and governmental agencies for the betterment of the City and the benefit of all Chicagoans; and
WHEREAS, James "Skinny" Sheahan has concluded his active participation in the running of the marathon after thirty-four successful years; 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 congratulate James "Skinny" Sheahan for his thirty-four years of uninterrupted participation and athletic excellence in marathon running; and thank him for his generous fund raising support of Special Children's Charities/Special Olympics Chicago programs.