Record #: R2014-395   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 5/28/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 5/28/2014
Title: Call for naming of facility at Chicago O'Hare International Airport after Honorable Roman C. Pucinski
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Topic: AIRPORTS - O'Hare, - CITY COUNCIL - Miscellaneous
Attachments: 1. R2014-395.pdf
RESOLUTION
 
 
WHEREAS, 2014 would have marked the 95th Birthday of the late Honorable Roman C. Pucinski, a decorated U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, Chicago politician and Polish-American civic leader; and
 
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
 
WHEREAS, The Honorable Roman C. Pucinski passed away in 2002 after a long and distinguished career; and
 
WHEREAS, Raised in Chicago, the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski bravely served his country as a Bombardier/Navigator during World War II and flew 48 bombing missions over Japan, including 16 over Tokyo; and
 
WHEREAS, A member of our nation's "Greatest Generation," the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Clusters; and
 
WHEREAS, A graduate of Northwestern University and John Marshall Law School, the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski worked for decades as a writer with the Chicago Sun-Times before entering public service; and
 
WHEREAS, The Honorable Roman C. Pucinski served as a United States Representative from 1959 to 1973 and as the Alderman of the 41st Ward from 1973 to 1991; and
 
WHEREAS, During his highly esteemed tenure in Congress, the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski had a profound effect on the future of American aviation; and
 
WHEREAS, As a legislator, the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski championed the installation of "black boxes" on all commercial airlines, a requirement which became an international standard in the airline industry; and
 
WHEREAS, In recognition of his efforts as the "father" of airline data recorders, the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski was honored in 1998 with the Federal Aviation Administration's Silver Medal of Distinguished Service; and
 
WHEREAS, A leader of Chicago Polonia, the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski ably served for 25 years as President of the Polish American Congress, Illinois Division; and
 
 
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the Honorable Roman C. Pucinski serve as an example to all; now, therefore
 
Alderman - 14th Ward
 
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-eighth day of May, 2014, do hereby urge that an appropriate facility be named after the Honorable. Roman C. Pucinski at O'Hare International Airport in recognition of his many important contributions to Chicago and airline safety.