RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Vern Ehlers has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Vern Ehlers was the loving and devoted husband of Johanna; and
WHEREAS, Vern Ehlers was the much-adored father of four children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Vern Ehlers was the first research physicist elected to Congress and served as a Republican U.S. Representative for the state of Michigan from 1993 until his retirement in 2010; and
WHEREAS, While in Congress Vern Ehlers championed science funding and environmental protections and earned praise for the scientific rigor he brought to the rough-and-tumble of world politics; and
WHEREAS, Vern Ehlers successfully advocated for a law that authorized spending to clean up sediments in the Great Lakes and oversaw the first major congressional statement on science policy in more than 50 years; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Vern Ehlers serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Vern Ehlers 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, Vern Ehlers 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 sixth day of September, 2017, do hereby commemorate Vern Ehlers 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 Vern Ehlers.
Alderman - 14th Ward