RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable John J. Gilligan, the former Democratic Governor of Ohio, has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of ninety-two; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A widely admired progressive politician, the Honorable John J. Gilligan was the loving husband of Susan and the late Mary Kathryn; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable John J. Gilligan was the beloved father of Donald, the Honorable Kathleen, John and Ellen to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable John J. Gilligan earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati; and
WHEREAS, A proud veteran who served as a gunnery officer for the Navy during World War II, the Honorable John J. Gilligan was awarded a Silver Star for leading the defense of the USS Rodman against an enemy aircraft attack at Okinawa; and
WHEREAS, Returning to Cincinnati, the Honorable John J. Gilligan won election to one term in the United States House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, As Governor of Ohio from 1971 to 1975, the Honorable John J. Gilligan laid the groundwork for the future prosperity of his state by implementing a personal income tax to fund vital social services; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable John J. Gilligan and his daughter, the Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, who is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services and the former Governor of Kansas, were the first father-daughter pair of governors in the nation's history; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the Honorable John J. Gilligan serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared the Honorable John J. Gilligan 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, To his beloved family, the Honorable John J. Gilligan 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 eleventh day of September, 2013, do hereby commemorate the Honorable John J. Gilligan 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 the Honorable John J. Gilligan.
