WHEREAS, Enda Kenny, prominent and esteemed political figure in the Republic of Ireland and the leader of Fine Gael (liberal/conservative politigakpaxLy) since 2002, was voted in as Taoiseach (hes&xgjgasfxttH&ent)'on May 6, 2016 thereby becoming the first Fine Gael Taoiseach to win re-election in Ireland' history; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this historic event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1952 in Derrywash, Islandeady, near Castlebar, County Mayo, Enda Kenny is the son of Henry Francis Kenny, a member of Fine Gael back in the 1950s and a Parliamentary Secretary at the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, From his teenaged years, Enda Kenny had a keen interest in the political affairs of Ireland and at the age of twenty-three he won election to office, becoming the youngest member of the 20th Dail (lower house of the Irish legislature); and
WHEREAS, In 1986, following a decade of service to the government, Enda Kenny became Minister of State in the Departments of Education and Labor; and
WHEREAS, A fusion government came into power under Taoiseach John Bruton following the collapse of Fianna Fail-Labour Party in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny joined the cabinet of Taoiseach John Bruton and received an appointment as Minister for Tourism and Trade; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny achieved prominence as Chair of the European Union Council of Trade Ministers during Ireland's six-month Presidency of the European Council; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny co-chaired a round of the World Trade Organization talks in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Following Fine Gael's election defeat in 2002, Enda Kenny took the reins of leadership of the party and succeeded in building a united front and redefining its mission as a party committed to representing the progressive-center; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny led Fine Gael to a decisive victory in the 2011 election; and
WHEREAS, On March 5, 2011, Fine Gael formed a coalition government with the Labour Party; and Enda Kenny began his first term as Taoiseach of the 31st Dail; and
WHEREAS, During his first term of office, Enda Kenny and the government enacted a series of election and banking reforms; and
WHEREAS, On March 10, 2016, Enda Kenny stepped down as Taoiseach after his party failed to win enough votes to be elected for a second term; and
WHEREAS, Despite the political setback, Enda Kenny vowed to continue his role in a caretaker capacity until a new government could be formed; and
WHEREAS, An agreement was reached with the opposition Fianna Fail Party on April 29, 2016 to allow a Fine Gael-led minority government; and
WHEREAS, On May 6, 2016 Enda Kenny formed a new government after winning re-election; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council assembled this eighteenth day of May, 2016, do hereby congratulate the Honorable Enda Kenny for his history-making election victory and for a lifetime of dedicated service to the people of the Republic of Ireland; and
Alde/rman Edward*M. Burke Alderman, 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VED, That a suitable copy of this Resolution b/p/esenteo>to th/ Honorable Enda Kenny.