RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Ira DeMent has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of eighty; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, During a more than thirty-year legal career, the Honorable Ira DeMent played a-vital role in revamping Alabama's foster care, mental health and prison systems; and
WHEREAS, As a U.S. Attorney in Montgomery, the Honorable Ira DeMent prosecuted landmark mental health and prison reform lawsuits for the Justice Department; and
WHEREAS, While serving as a Judge on the federal bench, the Honorable Ira DeMent ordered an overhaul of his state's treatment of abused and neglected children and outlawed school-sponsored prayer in Alabama's DeKalb County; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Ira DeMent was a member of the U.S. Army Infantry from 1953 through 1955, and remained in the Army and Air Force Reserves until 1989, receiving the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, which is the military's most prestigious peacetime award; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, the Honorable Ira DeMent received Princeton University's Rockefeller Public Service Award for his success in conflict management; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Ira DeMent was described by his colleagues as a fearless jurist who was committed to justice; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, dedication and sacrifice of the Honorable Ira DeMent serve as an example to all; and ,
WHEREAS, The Honorable Ira DeMent will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, the Honorable Ira DeMent imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-eighth day of July, 2011, do hereby commemorate the Honorable Ira DeMent for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this...
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