SALUTE TO THE COOK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
WHEREAS, On Friday, June 24, 2016, the Cook County Bar Association will celebrate the 102nd year of its founding at the Hyatt Regency Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Edward H. Wright was elected as the venerable association's first president by a young generation of African-American lawyers. Founded in 1914, the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) is one of the oldest African-American legal societies in the nation; and
WHEREAS, The roots of this outstanding organization were planted in 1896 when 32 African American lawyers met informally to plan protests against discrimination in hotels, theaters, and restaurants as well as to discuss judicial elections and desegregation ofthe public schools. Ida Piatt, the first African American woman admitted to the Illinois bar, was among this informal group;and
WHEREAS, The CCBA has been a legal advocate for the African-American community and the advancement of African-American attorneys since its inception. One of its most important accomplishments was the development of a system for fair and impartial evaluations of judicial candidates that led to alliances with other minority bar associations; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Roderick Sawyer, Alderman of the 6th Ward, has apprised this august body ofthe milestone achieved by this preeminent African-American attorney's association; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together on this 22nd Day of June, 2016, do hereby salute the Cook County Bar Association upon the occasion of its 100th Anniversary and express our very best wishes for continuing success in the fulfillment of its vital and important mission.
RODERICK T. SAWYER Alderman - 6lh Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the Cook County Bar Association.
