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 a resolution honoring the life and memory of Nelson Mandela. Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
H resolution
adopui by Tlte Qity Qouncil oftht Qity of Qkicago, Illinois
DECEMBER 11, 2013
Tjmented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL m
^QllBTGClS < Last week, the world suffered the loss of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a man who exemplified strength, courage, and moral inspiration; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo in the Umtata District of Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, 1918; and
WHEREAS, As a young man, Mandela joined the fight against the scourge of the South African government's system of open and notorious racial segregation known as "apartheid," participating, at great personal risk, in a campaign of boycotts, strikes, and other forms of civil disobedience; and
WHEREAS, Rising to a position of leadership in the African National Congress, Mandela was arrested, charged, and tried for allegedly plotting the violent overthrow of the government of South Africa; and
WHEREAS, In his final address to the court at the close of his trial, Mandela distilled his guiding philosophy to the following renowned and revered statement:
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."; and
WHEREAS, On June 12, 1964, at the age of Mandela, along with eight fellow activists, was sentenced to life in prison; and-
WHEREAS, The government of South Africa held Mandela at Robben Island Prison from 1964 to 1982, then moved him to the maximum-security Pollsmoor Prison in the Cape Town suburb of Tokai; and
WHEREAS, While imprisoned, Mandela became world famous as a powerful model for international resistance against apartheid, and, more generally, against discrimination and injustice in all of their forms; and
WHEREAS, The global movement to end apartheid included international economic sanctions against South Africa and condemnation of the odious practice by countless leaders, artists, intellectuals, and activists; and
WHEREAS, At 4:14 p.m. on February 11, 1990 - 27 years, 6 months, and 1 week after imprisoning Mandela - the South African government finally granted him his freedom; and
WHEREAS, In 1993, Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize, confirming their pledge to continue both working towards a democratic South Africa and overcoming the nation's shameful history of racial segregation; and
WHEREAS, At long last, in 1994, the government of South Africa officially abolished apartheid, and held a historic election in which almost 20,000,000 citizens of all races and ethnicities cast their votes; and
WHEREAS, On May 10, 1994, the people of South Africa inaugurated Nelson Mandela as their president, embracing his pledge to lead a "united, democratic, non-racial, and non-sexist government" for all his nation's people; and
WHEREAS, During President Mandela's tenure in office. South Africa made giant strides in the arduous journey from apartheid and white minority rule to reconciliation, equality, and peace; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, President Mandela retired to private life in his hometown of Qunu, Transkei; and
WHEREAS, On December 5, 2013, at the age of 95, President Mandela passed away, surrounded by his loving family; 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 celebrate the life and monumental achievements of President Nelson Mandela; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution serve as a sign of our profound and abiding love and respect for President Mandela and our heartfelt sympathy with all who mourn his passing.