CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO NURKO "NORMAN" GAZIJA ON THE OCCASION OF
100th BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, Nurko "Norman" Gazija, a proud and longtime resident of the Sauganash Park neighborhood in the 39th Ward, has approached a remarkable milestone in life by celebrating his 100th Birthday; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed ofthis momentous occasion by the Honorable Samantha Nugent, Alderman of the 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Nurko "Norman" Gazija was born on May 11th, 1921 in the former Yugoslavia, just three years after the end of World War I and during the historical period the "Roaring 1920s"; and
WHEREAS, After the perlious aftermath of World War II throughout Europe, Norman decided to pursue a new life in America by coming to Chicago in 1950 as a refugee who had survived a Nazi prison and concentration camps, and had witnessed firsthand a regime given over to the worst passions of human nature; and
WHEREAS, Norman saw Chicago as a proud and welcoming city to immigrants, full of vitality and opportunity where he can truly contribute to its American society; and
WHEREAS, Norman brought his Austrian bride, Margaret Bauer, to the United States in 1952 and started a family while working as a machinist at the Gaertner Scientific Corporation, which manufactured astronomical and astrophysical measuring instruments, and then at Precision Carbide Tools, Ltd., which produced precision cutting tools; and
WHEREAS, Norman and his family have been vital participants in Chicago's history and contributors to its culture since the mid-twentieth century, most especially in helping extract warÂtime refugees in the 1990s from the genocidal wars in the Balkans, some of whom settled in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Norman, through the blessings of good health and family, continues to have an active life, with a motto that he is "not ready to retire"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, that we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here assembled t...
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