OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
December 11, 2013
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Alderman Burke, a congratulatory resolution concerning Doctor Patrick Angelo.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Mayor
DECEMBER 11, 2013
reso
lution
adopted by The Qlttj QoUVtcil
°f*< Qity of Qkicago j Illinois
MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL presented by ALDERMAN EDWARD M. BURKE m
^QllBT6ClS ' Reflecting on the spirit of Christmas, President Calvin Coolidge once observed that "Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy is to honor the real spirit of Christmas;" and
WHEREAS, Today, as We enter the 2013 holiday season, the Members of this Chamber find it fitting to recognize and honor Dr. Patrick Angelo, a 61-year-old private citizen, for his many years of quiet service to the homeless men and women living on Lower Wacker Drive; and
WHEREAS, A man with Christmas in his heart all year round, Dr. Angelo has made it his personal mission to deliver food, blankets, shoes and other aid to Chicago's homeless population; and
WHEREAS, Twice a week for the past dozen years, Dr. Angelo has stopped at the McDonald's on Ontario Street, purchased 80 hamburgers and 47 coffees, then driven east to complete a 3-mile, 15-stop circuit in search of homeless people in need of sustenance and an encouraging word; and
WHEREAS, With eyes trained on every loading dock, underpass and trash bin on Lower Wacker Drive, Dr. Angelo throws his car into park whenever he detects even the slightest movement and jumps out of his vehicle, prepared to deliver food and coffee to those in need; and
WHEREAS, Last year, after a homeless woman collected the shoe sizes of all of the women living with her on a subterranean street, Dr. Angelo promptly purchased eleven pairs of new, warm boots for the women; and
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WHEREAS, Raised on Chicago's Northwest Side, Dr. Angelo graduated from St. Patrick High School. As a youth, Dr. Angelo aspired to become a priest. Although he eventually took a different path, becoming an oral surgeon, husband and father, Dr. Angelo's desire to follow in the footsteps of his three heroes - Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela - never waned. When asked about his charitable acts, Dr. Angelo simply explained: "I have a nice house, five healthy kids . God has given me so much. It seems unfair not to repay his children"; and
WHEREAS, In this season of fellowship, festivity, giving and receiving, home, family and good cheer, Dr. Patrick Angelo's persistent efforts to ease the burden of the less fortunate through the spirit of sweet friendship, thoughtfulness and kindness serve as a powerful reminder that each of us has the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to make a positive difference in the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, A special thank you goes to Alderman Edward M. Burke for bringing this heartwarming and inspiring story to the attention of 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 December, 2013, do hereby commend Doctor Patrick Angelo for his tender heart, wisdom and compassion, and for devoting his time and energy to helping the homeless, not just during the Christmas season, but throughout the year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Doctor Patrick Angelo as a token of our appreciation and esteem.