Cork's
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RICHARD M. DALEY
MAYOR
May 4, 2011
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a resolution regarding our departing friend and colleague, Alderman
Stone.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber are proud to congratulate our friend and colleague, Alderman Bernard ("Bernie") Stone, on his thirty-eight years of dedicated service to the people of the 50th Ward and the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident ofthe 50th Ward, Alderman Stone was first elected to the Chicago City Council in 1973 to fill a vacant aldermanic seat, and then went on to serve nine full terms in office. Today, he ranks second in seniority in this distinguished body; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his illustrious political career, Alderman Stone served as Chairman ofthe City Council Committee on Buildings and at various times he also served as a member ofthe Committee on the Budget and Government Operations; Committee on Finance; Committee on Historical Landmark Preservation; Committee on Housing and Real Estate; Committee on Traffic Control and Safety; and Committee on Committees, Rules and Ethics; and
WHEREAS, Since 1998, Alderman Stone has served as Vice-Mayor of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure in office, Alderman Stone worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of the 50th Ward. A councilman who firmly believed that the role of alderman . involves far more than simply voting in the City Council, Alderman Stone regularly attended local condominium, community and neighborhood association meetings. To help residents access city services, Alderman Stone maintained a fully-staffed, full-service ward office, and he held drop-in office hours every Monday and Thursday evening to accommodate his constituents; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated, inclusive and exceptionally productive councilman, who understood the value of hard work and sacrifice, Alderman Stone fought block-by-block to improve all of the neighborhoods comprising his far North Side Ward, and he strongly encouraged the 50th Ward's many diverse communities to play a role in city government; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Stone's many recent accomplishments in office include the construction of the West Ridge Elementary School; installation of new stop lights and police cameras at key locations throughout the Ward; the beautification of Devon Avenue through Youth Corps programs; and the opening and expansion of several local businesses to provide jobs, shopping and other needed services to the residents of the 50th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his stellar political career, Alderman Stone worked citywide to reduce school class size, fight crime, ensure building safety, promote affordable housing, spur job creation, and provide educational and employment opportunities to the citizens of this Great City; and
WHEREAS, The quintessential public servant, Alderman Stone is an active member of several civic, professional, and fraternal organizations, including the Illinois State Bar Association; American Legion; Jewish War Veterans; Decalogue Society; B'Nai B'rith;
Northtown Civic Association; West Ridge Chamber of Commerce; Board of High Ridge YMCA; Congregation Ezras Israel; Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago Architecture Society; Field Museum; and many others; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Stone's wise counsel, creative talent, keen mind and helping hand will be sorely missed by his colleagues in the Chicago City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, assembled this fourth day of May, 2011, do hereby extend to Alderman Bernard ("Bernie") Stone our deepest gratitude and thanks for his many years of outstanding service to the people of Chicago, and our best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Alderman Bernard ("Bernie") Stone as a token of our appreciation and esteem.