Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2021-488

• Record #: R2021-488
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• Intro date: 5/26/2021
• Final action: 5/26/2021
• Title: Congratulations extended to Nurko Gazija on 100th birthday
• Sponsors: Nugent, Samantha

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
5/26/2021		City Council	Introduced (Agreed Calendar)
5/26/2021		City Council	Adopted	Pass
5/26/2021	31383	City Council	Recommended to Pass

CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO NURKO "NORMAN" GAZIJA ON THE OCCASION OF

100^th BIRTHDAY

WHEREAS, Nurko "Norman" Gazija, a proud and longtime resident of the Sauganash Park neighborhood in the 39^th Ward, has approached a remarkable milestone in life by celebrating his 100^th Birthday; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed ofthis momentous occasion by the Honorable Samantha Nugent, Alderman of the 39^th Ward; and

WHEREAS, Nurko "Norman" Gazija was born on May 11^th, 1921 in the former Yugoslavia, just three years after the end of World War I and during the historical period the "Roaring 1920s"; and

WHEREAS, After the perlious aftermath of World War II throughout Europe, Norman decided to pursue a new life in America by coming to Chicago in 1950 as a refugee who had survived a Nazi prison and concentration camps, and had witnessed firsthand a regime given over to the worst passions of human nature; and

WHEREAS, Norman saw Chicago as a proud and welcoming city to immigrants, full of vitality and opportunity where he can truly contribute to its American society; and

WHEREAS, Norman brought his Austrian bride, Margaret Bauer, to the United States in 1952 and started a family while working as a machinist at the Gaertner Scientific Corporation, which manufactured astronomical and astrophysical measuring instruments, and then at Precision Carbide Tools, Ltd., which produced precision cutting tools; and

WHEREAS, Norman and his family have been vital participants in Chicago's history and contributors to its culture since the mid-twentieth century, most especially in helping extract war-time refugees in the 1990s from the genocidal wars in the Balkans, some of whom settled in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Norman, through the blessings of good health and family, continues to have an active life, with a motto that he is "not ready to retire"; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here assembled this 26^th day of May, 2021, do hereby congratulate Nurko Gazija on his one hundredth birthday; and

Samantha Nugent Alderman, 39^th Ward

Be It Further Resolved, that a suitable copy ofthis resolution be prepared and presented to Mr. and Mrs. Nurko & Margaret Gazija and family; as a token of our esteem and good wishes.