RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Maya Angelou has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Maya Angelou was a renowned author, poet, dancer, actress, civil rights activist and educator; and
WHEREAS, Beginning with her debut memoir in 1969 entitled / Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou was the author of seven autobiographies, three books of essays and several books of poetry; and
WHEREAS, Maya Angelou began writing after a series of occupations that included performing as a cast member of Porgy and Bess; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in 1982 Maya Angelou taught at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where she held the first lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies; and
WHEREAS, Maya Angelou was also an accomplished producer, playwright and film director; and
WHEREAS, Maya Angelou recited her poem, On the Pulse ofthe Morning, at the 1992 inauguration of President Bill Clinton and was the first poet to do so since Robert Frost recited at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Maya Angelou was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Maya Angelou will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To her beloved family, Maya Angelou 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 twenty-fifth day of June, 2014, do hereby commemorate Maya Angelou for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Maya Angelou.