RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Barbara Blaine has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 61; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Blaine was the Founder and former President of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests known as SNAP; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Blaine worked tirelessly on behalf of those who were victims of sexual abuse by clergy; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Blaine organized SNAP in 1988 as she embarked on her own personal path to healing years after she was abused as an eighth grade student by a Catholic priest who taught classes at an Ohio school that she attended; and
WHEREAS, The first SNAP meeting was held in a Chicago hotel and the organization now has 20,000 members; and
WHEREAS, The group gained prominence in 2002 after a Boston Globe series of clergy abuse and SNAP support groups currently meet in 60 cities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, A compassionate force for good, Barbara Blaine concluded her tenure with the organization in February of 2017; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Barbara Blaine serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, To her beloved family, Barbara Blaine 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 eleventh day of October, 2017, do hereby commemorate Barbara Blaine for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and