MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR RICHARD BARNETT
WHEREAS, Richard Barnett, long-time political activist and a leader of the independent political movement in Chicago, passed away on December 28, 2019; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of Richard's passing by the Honorable Michael Scott, Jr., Alderman of the 24th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Richard grew up on the South Side with his 13 brothers and sisters, and attended Wendell Phillips High School where he met his future wife, Grace Burgess; and
WHEREAS, After they wed, Richard and Grace settled in their North Lawndale home, which soon became a headquarters for political activism filled with campaign buttons, brochures, posters, and signs; and
WHEREAS, A postal clerk by day, Richard did political organizing work on nights and weekends, which included registering voters, knocking on doors, gathering signatures, making phone calls, planting yard signs, and challenging ward remaps; and
WHEREAS, Richard understood the importance of organizing, and would frequently talk with community members on the street and sought out community groups to listen to their concerns; and
WHEREAS, A "genius at getting out the vote", Richard nurtured the careers of countless candidates, including Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and former Congressman Luis Gutierrez, and helped elect many independent candidates over the years, including several Chicago Aldermen, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Kari Steele, Congressman Danny K. Davis, and Mayor Harold Washington; and
WHEREAS, Richard always remained level-headed when facing political intimidation tactics, and encouraged candidates and organizers to stand strong and not retaliate in the face of adversity; and
WHEREAS, Richard spent over 60 years serving his community and mentoring neighbors, and was always ready to lend a hand to help or an ear to listen; and
WHEREAS, Richard was preceded in death by his wife Grace and is survived by his daughters, Annitria and Jeneria, s...
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