WHEREAS, Enda Kenny, prominent and esteemed political figure in the Republic of Ireland and the leader of Fine Gael (liberal/conservative politigakpaxLy) since 2002, was voted in as Taoiseach (hes&xgjgasfxttH&ent)'on May 6, 2016 thereby becoming the first Fine Gael Taoiseach to win re-election in Ireland' history; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this historic event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1952 in Derrywash, Islandeady, near Castlebar, County Mayo, Enda Kenny is the son of Henry Francis Kenny, a member of Fine Gael back in the 1950s and a Parliamentary Secretary at the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, From his teenaged years, Enda Kenny had a keen interest in the political affairs of Ireland and at the age of twenty-three he won election to office, becoming the youngest member of the 20th Dail (lower house of the Irish legislature); and
WHEREAS, In 1986, following a decade of service to the government, Enda Kenny became Minister of State in the Departments of Education and Labor; and
WHEREAS, A fusion government came into power under Taoiseach John Bruton following the collapse of Fianna Fail-Labour Party in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny joined the cabinet of Taoiseach John Bruton and received an appointment as Minister for Tourism and Trade; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny achieved prominence as Chair of the European Union Council of Trade Ministers during Ireland's six-month Presidency of the European Council; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny co-chaired a round of the World Trade Organization talks in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Following Fine Gael's election defeat in 2002, Enda Kenny took the reins of leadership of the party and succeeded in building a united front and redefining its mission as a party committed to representing the progressive-center; and
WHEREAS, Enda Kenny led Fine Gael to a decisive victory in the 2011 election; and
WHEREAS, On March 5, 2011, Fine Gael formed a coalition government with the Labour Party; and Enda Kenn...
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