RESOLUTION
WHEREAS. James J. Lilly has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 43; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his untimely passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, James J. Lilly was the loving and devoted husband of Nora Cahue; and
WHEREAS, James J. Lilly was the much-adored father of James, Jr., Christian and Michael to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, James J. Lilly was the beloved son of James and Elizabeth Lilly; and
WHEREAS, James J. Lilly was the cherished brother of Antonio, Thomas, the late Danny and the late James; and
WHEREAS, A troubled Chicago youth, James J. Lilly was left paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in a gang incident at the age of 15; and
WHEREAS, James J. Lilly overcame many obstacles to become a motivational speaker who warned young people about the dangers of gangs and was an advocate and advisor for those with spinal cord injuries; and
WHEREAS, A world-class wheelchair athlete who earned gold medals at international paralympic games, James J. Lilly won a grueling, 276 mile wheelchair race in 2002, and was the only person in the world to complete that race nine times; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of James .1. Lilly inspired countless people and serve as an example to all ofa life lived for others; and
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WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared James J. Lilly 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, James J. Lilly imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members ofthe Chicago City Council, assembled this seventeenth day of January. 2013, do hereby commemorate James J. Lilly for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolenc...
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