Record #: R2018-1409   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 12/12/2018 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 12/12/2018
Title: Tribute to late Ray Chavez
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2018-1409.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, Ray Chavez has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 106; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward ,M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, Ray Chavez was the oldest United States military survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II; and

 

WHEREAS, Born in 1912 in San Bernardino, California, Ray Chavez was the son of Mexican immigrant parents and as a child moved with his parents to San Diego where they ran a wholesale flower business; and

 

WHEREAS, Ray Chavez joined the Navy in 1938 and survived the attack on December 7, 1941 that claimed the lives of 2,335 military personnel and 68 civilians; and

 

WHEREAS, Prior to the attack, Ray Chavez was aboard the USS Condor, a minesweeper patrolling the east entrance of the harbor when he and others spotted the periscope of a Japanese submarine; and

 

WHEREAS, Crew members of the USS Condor notified a destroyer that sank the submarine and he went home at the end of his shift, telling his wife, Margaret, not to wake him because he had been up all night; and

 

WHEREAS, Shortly afterward, waves of Japanese bombers approached the harbor and began the surprise attack; and

 

WHEREAS, Ray Chavez hurriedly returned to the harbor where he would spend the next week working around the clock sifting through debris; and

 

WHEREAS, The courage, sacrifice and dedication of Ray Chavez serve as an example to all; and

 

WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Ray Chavez to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and

 

WHEREAS, Ray Chavez was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and

 

 

WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Ray Chavez xxx imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twelfth day of December, 2018, do hereby commemorate Ray Chavez for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ray Chavez.

 

 

 

 

Alderman - 14th Ward