RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert C. Buckley, a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, led the Chicago City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance to open the official proceedings of the City Council meeting of Wednesday, July 30, 2014; and
WHEREAS, A native of Illinois and a resident of Arlington Heights for over fifty years, the Honorable Robert C. Buckley enlisted in the Army, joining the Army Air Corps, after attending Morton Junior College; and
WHEREAS, As part of the 305th Bomb Group based in Chelveston, England, the Honorable Robert C. Buckley served as a pilot, navigator and Mickey operator flying daytime bombing raids over Nazi Germany and completing more than seventeen missions; and
WHEREAS, During his service in World War II, the Honorable Robert C. Buckley was recognized for his heroism with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European Theatre Ribbon with four battle stars; and
WHEREAS, Upon returning home from World War II, the Honorable Robert C. Buckley graduated from DePaul University and then earned his juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University; and
WHEREAS, During the Korean Conflict, the Honorable Robert C. Buckley served his nation once again as an Air Force Reservist by flying jet re-fueling planes; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return from Korea, Justice Buckley resumed the practice of law, serving as a magistrate of the Village of Arlington Heights before his election in 1972 as a Circuit Court Judge of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, During this time, the Honorable Robert C. Buckley continued his service as an Air Force reservist and served in the Strategic Air Command and in the Jag Coips through the Vietnam War, ultimately retiring as a Colonel in 1974; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, the Flonorable Robert C. Buckley was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court and ably served as the Presiding Judge in the First Division from 1983 to 1986; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert C. Buckley has been an active member of St. James Parish in Arlington Heights for over fifty years, and has volunteered on several Boards of other non-for-profits; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert C. Buckley is an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who is worthy of our admiration and esteem; and
WHEREAS, The courage, sacrifice and significant civic contributions of the Honorable Robert C. Buckley, a member of "America's Greatest Generation" serve as an example to all; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council assembled this 30th Day of July 2014, do hereby salute the Honorable Robert C. Buckley for his courageous service on behalf of our nation and do hereby declare that Wednesday, July 30, shall be recognized as "The Honorable Robert C. Buckley Day" throughout the City of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Robert C. Buckley.
Alderman Edward M. Burke, 14 Ward