iconic spiritual leader and a pil lar of Chicago's West Side, eternal rest on December 9, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Flowers is a second-generation pastor who was raised in the Cabrini-Green housing projects and left to serve in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam conflict, returning to work for the Chicago Public Schools and study for the ministry; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Flowers was ordained in 1977. Already active with several West Side faith communities, he decided on a wider outreach as a community activist and advocate for the greater West Side. For more than 30 years, he served as the president of Westside Ministers Coalition where his battles for social justice on the West Side of Chicago, particularly in the Austin community were legendary where he led efforts for better schools, better housing and economic development. He was the founding pastor of the Austin Community Ministries; and
WHEREAS, His concern for economic issues often led to collaboration with local, state and national government officials. He is credited as being instrumental in Chicago's 1994 designation as a federal empowerment zone, bringing an investment totaling $100 million over two years to promote economic development and jobs in several areas of the city; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Flowers partnered with banks and other organizations to hold workshops that educated people in skills needed to purchase and maintain a home. As a spokesman for the Community Reinvestment Organizing Project, he demanded that Austin, that had the dubious distinction of having the greatest number of foreclosures in the metropolitan area, be included in the city's $15 million Foreclosure Recovery Program; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Lewis Flowers leaves behind to mourn his loss and celebrate his memory a loving wife, Cynthia; three sons, Durand, Duwane and Elijah, two daughters, Lanita. Joyner and Blaire Flowers, three brothers, Victor, Cornelius and Dennis: three sisters, Lorinda^; . Jocelyn and Aretha, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; now: therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 12th Day of December, 2012 AD, do hereby express our sincerest sorrow on the passing of the Reverend Dr. Lewis Flowers and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those whose lives he has touched in so many ways.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Reverend Dr. Lewis Flowrars.