RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members ofthis Chamber were deeply saddened to learn ofthe death of Clark Burrus, former City Comptroller, on June 17, 2015, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chicago on November 8, 1928 to Lemmie and Mattie Hall Burrus, Mr. Burrus grew up in the City's Woodlawn neighborhood. In 1946, Mr. Burrus, a gifted athlete, graduated from Englewood High School, where he played football and basketball; and
WHEREAS, After graduation from high school, Mr. Burrus began his studies at Texas State University, where he played halfback on the football team, before returning to Chicago to complete both a Bachelor's degree in accounting and a Master's degree in public administration from Roosevelt University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burrus began his long and distinguished career in public service in 1954 as a field auditor in the Department of Aviation. Through hard work, sheer willpower and ability, Mr. Burrus moved up through the ranks to be appointed as the City Comptroller in 1974 by Mayor Richard J. Daley. Under his capable supervision, the City achieved its first AA bond rating and instituted such innovations as its first low-interest mortgage loan program; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Mr. Burrus entered the private sector, serving as the Senior Vice President ofthe First National Bank of Chicago in the Asset and Liability Management Department, a position he held for twelve years, and at his retirement in 1998, he was the vice chair of First Chicago Capital Markets; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his service with the City, Mr. Burrus served as a member of the Chicago Board of Education and Chairman of the Chicago Transit Authority, where he created a $1 billion dollar capital improvement program to rebuild the Green Line, and
WHEREAS, After retirement, Mr. Burrus remained active in many business and civic organizations, including the National Forum for Black Public Administrators; Regional Transit Authority; Chicago Council of Urban Affairs; Cook County State's Attorney African-American Advisory Council; Economic Development Council; Metropolitan Planning Council; Roosevelt University Board of Trustees; the Economic Development Council; Harold Washington Foundation; and Urban Gateways; and
WHEREAS, Renowned for being a trailblazer at a time when there were few African-Americans in positions of power at City Hall, Mr. Burrus gave generously of his time to serve as a mentor for many African-American professionals in the financial services industry; and
WHEREAS, An avid sports enthusiast, Mr. Burrus traveled extensively and played golf world-wide; and
WHEREAS, The legacy of Mr. Burrus' dedication, devotion, and hard work shall serve as an example to us all and has earned him the respect of all Chicagoans; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burrus was greatly devoted to his family, and he is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Lucille; his daughter, Deja; his stepson, James Marshall; his two granddaughters, Karen Usher and Melinda Turner; and a host of other relatives and friends; now, therefore