RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of eighty-five; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Western Springs, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., was a widely admired member of the legal community and the loving husband of Anne; and
WHEREAS, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., was the father of Peter, Stephen, Heather and the late Eamon and the grandfather of ten; and
WHEREAS, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., was the dear brother of Patrick, Dan and Donna; and
WHEREAS, Raised in the Beverly neighborhood on the South Side, Peter M. Shannon was ordained a Roman Catholic priest before marrying and pursuing a career in the law; and
WHEREAS, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., served early in his professional career as National Director of the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., returned to the Chicago area where he was a longtime attorney for Arnstein & Lehr, LLP until his retirement in 2003; and
WHEREAS, As the father of a child with Down syndrome, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., championed the rights of children with disabilities and fought on a pro bono basis to ensure access to appropriate educational programs; and
WHEREAS, Other people saw deficits in the abilities of children with special needs, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., only saw potential; and
WHEREAS, A shining example of how one person can make a difference, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., multiplied his efforts by sharing his passion with fellow attorneys and mentoring them on how to assist special needs children with their educational placements; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Peter M. Shannon, Jr., serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Peter M. Shannon, Jr., imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-fifth day of June, 2014, do hereby commemorate Peter M. Shannon, Jr., for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Peter MJ Shannon, Jr.
AlderfrOan - 14th Ward