SALUTE TO "QUEEN OF SOUL" ARETHA FRANKLIN
WHEREAS, From time to time, the City of Chicago City Council extends its salutations to various heads of state and visiting royalty; and
WHEREAS, There are none so royal and more deserving of this city's felicitation and honor as Aretha Louise Franklin, "The Queen of Soul"; and
WHEREAS, Since her first vocal recording, "The Gospel Soul of Aretha Franklin", her legendary musical career has garnered her the greatest amount ofGrammy Awards in the category of Best Female Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance totaling a lifetime achievement of 18 competitive Grammys and two honorary Grammys; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, Aretha Franklin's legendary single "Respect", and, two decades later, "I Knew You Were Waiting [For Me)", won her Billboard Magazine's number one spot, demonstrating the continuing dominance of her musical influence; and
WHEREAS, Aretha Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the only featured singer at Barack Obama's 2009 Presidential Inauguration; and
WHEREAS, Aretha Franklin is widely held to be one ofthe greatest singers and performers of all time, earning admiration and respect across multiple generations of people around the world for her music and enduring spirit;
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman ofthe 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of the reigning Queen of Soul's royal appearance at the Chicago Theater in the Loop on May 3, 2014, and the noteworthy accomplishments of this renowned vocal artist; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 30th Day of April 2014, do hereby salute Aretha Franklin for her timeless music and her enduring contributions to the diverse fabric of Americana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Her Royal Majesty Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul.
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