City Council Meeting July 25, 2018
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Karen Lewis, the President ofthe Chicago Teachers Union since 2010, announced her intent to retire on June 22, 2018; and
WHEREAS, in her capacity as as President of CTU she has created a network of unparalleled force, consisting of teachers, students, parents and family, community allies and advocacy groups dedicated to the betterment of Chicago Public Schools and education at large; and
WHEREAS, President Lewis has dedicated herself to the education of and service to the children of Chicago since becoming a chemistry teacher at Chicago Public Schools in 1988; and
WHEREAS, leading up to her teaching career, Mrs. Lewis attended Kozminski Elementary School and Kenwood High School before matriculating to Mount Holyoke College. She finished college at Dartmouth College, graduating as the only African American woman in the class of 1974; and
WHEREAS, President Lewis has served CTU in numerous capacities including as a member of both the House of Delegates and the Illinois State Certification Board and as High School Functional Vice President; and
WHEREAS, President Lewis is a Vice President to the American Federation of Teachers, which boasts more than 1.7 million members; and
WHEREAS, President Lewis led CTU successfully through a nine-day strike in 2012, against the Chicago Board of Education for its unwillingness to negotiate a fair and equitable contract with the Chicago Teachers Union ; and
WHEREAS, in addition to securing a satisfactory contract for CTU members, the Chicago Board of Education also adopted numerous recommendations made by CTU towards the betterment of learning and education in CPS; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago owes immeasurable gratitude to President Lewis for her countless achievements over the years and her unwavering dedication to the children, teachers and houses of education of Chicago;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Chicago offers its deepest gratitude and stands in honor of President Lewis and her tireless work for and representation of not only the educators of Chicago's schools, but also the children of Chicago, fighting at every turn to provide the children of Chicago an education and learning environment ofthe highest caliber;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to President Lewis as a symbol of our respect and appreciation.