RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death on January 23, 2011, at age 96, of Jack LaLanne, a prominent fitness and nutrition expert; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 26, 1914, in San Francisco, California, Mr. LaLanne struggled with youthful misbehavior and craving for unhealthy food until he was 15, when, inspired by a speech by the renowned nutritionist Paul Bragg, he changed his eating habits and began exercising; and
WHEREAS, In 1936, Mr. LaLanne opened his first gymnasium in Oakland, California, and pioneered working out with weights. Mr. LaLanne also invented the forerunners of modern exercise machines, including leg-extension and pulley devices. As his gymnasium grew into a chain of fitness clubs, now known as Bally Total Fitness, Mr. LaLanne became America's foremost authority on fitness; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, Mr. LaLanne hosted and produced The Jack LaLanne Show, television's first workout program, which was later nationally syndicated by the American Broadcasting Company.(ABC) and ran until 1985; and
WHEREAS, Known for his own extraordinary level of fitness, in 1955 Mr. LaLanne swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco while wearing handcuffs. In 1957, on his 43rd birthday, he performed more than 1,000 push-ups in 23 minutes, and in 1991, on his 70th birthday, he swam a mile while shackled to 70 boats carrying 70 people; and
' WHEREAS, A recipient of numinous awards for his lifelong contributions to a healthy diet and fitness, Mr. LaLanne was inducted into the California Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame; and .
WHEREAS, Never one to remain idle, Mr. LaLanne also published several books and videos on fitness and nutrition, appeared in movies, recorded a song, and marketed exercise equipment and a range of vitamin supplements; and
WHEREAS, An extraordinary man, whose commitment to good health never waned, Mr. LaLanne will always be remembered for his many contributions to the people of our Nation, and for his inspiration, spirit, and foresight; and
WHEREAS, Mr. LaLanne is survived by his wife, Elaine; his son Jon; his daughter, Yvonne; his stepson, Dan Doyle, and a host of other family members and friends; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this ninth day of February, 2011, do hereby honor the life and memory of Jack LaLanne, and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Jack LaLanne as a sign of our sympathy and good wishes.
James Balcer Alderman, 11th Ward