R resolution
adopud by Tlie Qity Qouncil <>/*< Gity of Qkicago, Illinois
presented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL 0M SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
BTBftS °ur friend and colleague, Alderman Richard Mell, recently retired from the City Council after thirty-eight years of tireless, dedicated service to the residents of the 33rd Ward and to the People of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Mell proudly reflects the pulse and vitality of this City, his adopted home, where he has lived since arriving from Muskegon, Michigan after college to open a family spring manufacturing business; and
WHEREAS, As a new resident of Logan Square in the 1960s, Alderman Mell quickly became active in his community, working as a precinct captain and rapidly gaining the support of those who admired his genuine character, drive to succeed, and passion for the people around him; and
WHEREAS, Buoyed by this support, Alderman Mell won an inspired campaign for 33rd Ward alderman in 1975, defeating the protege of an established incumbent in the process; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Mell has been a fixture ever since on the City Council, where he chaired with distinction the Committee on Committees, Rules, and Ethics; sat on the Committees on Budget and Government Operations, Finance, Health, Housing and Real Estate, Human Relations, and Pedestrian and Traffic Safety; and previously served for almost a decade as Vice Mayor of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, During this remarkable tenure, which stands as one of the longest in Chicago history, Alderman Mell worked tirelessly on behalf of his 33rd Ward constituents and never strayed far from his community roots. Serving in a vibrant and diverse ward that epitomizes Chicago values at their finest, Alderman Mell always had as his primary objective to help the people of his neighborhood, whether by providing food boxes to needy families, holding fairs to distribute school supplies, or hosting popular Senior BINGO nights; and
WHEREAS, The residents of the 33rd Ward and the People of the City of Chicago owe Alderman Mell a tremendous debt of gratitude for his ceaseless efforts to strengthen our communities by advocating for responsible gun laws, fighting graffiti and gang crime, spearheading the "Keep Chicago Renting" ordinances, confronting absentee slumlords, championing manufacturing districts and single-family neighborhoods, beautifying Horner Park and the Riverwalk, and implementing improvement programs for Logan Square and Ravenswood Manor, among innumerable other accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Mell's colorful character, contagious passion, and tenacious spirit will be sorely missed by his colleagues in the Chicago City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eleventh day of September, 2013, do hereby extend to Alderman Richard Mell our deepest gratitude and thanks for his many years of outstanding service to the people of Chicago, and our best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Alderman Richard Mell as a token of our appreciation and esteem.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
September 11, 2013
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning our former colleague, Alderman Richard Mell.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,