OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
January 21, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Burke and Pope, a congratulatory resolution concerning World War II veteran Ralph Burlingham.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ralph H. Burlingham, a decorated military veteran of World War II, led the members ofthe Chicago City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance on Wednesday, January 21, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burlingham bravely served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945 and fought in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burlingham was a member ofthe legendary "Carlson's Raiders," and participated in combat landings at Bougainville, Guam and Okinawa; and
WHEREAS, During the Battle for Horseshoe Hill on Okinawa on May 21, 1945, Mr. Burlingham was struck and severely injured by mortar fire; and
WHEREAS, While recovering from his wounds in Guam over the next thirteen months, Ralph H. Burlingham received a Purple Heart from Admiral Chester Nimitz himself; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burlingham's other awards and medals include two Navy Unit Citations and a Presidential Unit Citation; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, Mr. Burlingham became an ordained minister and served as a Pastor in Wisconsin and Illinois before moving his family to Chicago's Brainerd neighborhood to pursue a career in social work; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, less than a year after earning his Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University, Mr. Burlingham was named Executive Director of Ada S. McKinley Community Services, a social agency dedicated to providing support to residents ofthe South Side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burlingham ably led the organization for three decades, delivering critically needed services to the disabled and those struggling with poverty; a...
Click here for full text