RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie, esteemed, award-winning feature reporter at WLS-Channel 7 since 1967, retired on April 3, 2017, after fifty years in Chicago television; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of his retirement by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin native Frank Mathie graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee with a B A. degree in Speech/Radio and Television; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie launched his distinguished career in broadcast journalism in 1964 as a news writer, film editor, and reporter at WISN-TV in Milwaukee; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie joined ABC - Channel 7 on April 3, 1967 as news writer and reporter; and
WHEREAS, From 1971-1974, Frank Mathie served was assigned to ABC - Channel 7's "ACTION 7" beat as a writer and reporter before committing to full-time feature coverage; and
WHEREAS, "ACTION 7 greatly aided Chicagoans with consumer and government issues; and
WHEREAS, as a features reporter for ABC - Channel 7, Frank Mathie developed and produced colorful, off-beat, and informative stories for broadcast Monday through Friday; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie liked to say that the essence of a good feature story is always about "interesting people doing interesting things;'" and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie has been recognized and honored for excellence in writing, editing, spot news, and feature reporting numerous times over his career; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie was a national finalist in the 1995 Edward R. Murrow Awards, and won Emmy Awards in 1988, 1987, 1986 and 1985 for Outstanding News Feature Reporting; and
WHEREAS, in other years, Frank Mathie was honored with the United Press International award for Best News Feature in 1986, 1985, and 1981; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie was presented with the Illinois Broadcasters Association award in 1977 for best spot news reporting among Chicago television stations; and in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus in Broadcasting Award from Marquette University's School of Speech; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie was inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts & Science Chicago/Midwest Chapter, in 2004, recognizing outstanding individuals who have devoted twenty-five years or more to the television industry; and
WHEREAS, Frank Mathie leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Chicago journalism for his great human interest reporting and personal connectivity with Chicagoland viewers; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council assembled this nineteenth day of April, 2017, do hereby thank Frank Mathie for his many contributions to Chicago and congratulate him on his retirement from the news profession and wish him the very best as he begins the next phase of his life; and
