OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
March 18,2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Cullerton, Dowell, Beale, Pope, Balcer, Cardenas, Burke, Thomas, Brookins, Zalewski, Solis, Burnett, Reboyras, Suarez, Laurino, P. O'Connor, M. O'Connor, Reilly, Tunney and Cappleman, a resolution honoring the life and memory of Terry Allen.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
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adopted by Qity QoUnCll
°f Gitu of Ghicaqo, Illinois
MARCH 18, 2015
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'Presented by
ALDERMEN TIM CULCEkTON, 'MARGARET LAURINbf MICHAEL ZALEWSKI, JOHN POPE, MARY O'C.ONNOR, PATRICK O'CONNOR, RAY SUAREZ. ARIEL REBOYRAS, RAT DOWELL. TOM TUNNEY, EDWARD BURKE, LATASHA THOMAS. HOWARD BROOKINS, ANTHONY BEALE, JAMES BALCER, WALTER BURNETT, GEORGE CARDENAS, DANNY SOLIS, BRENDAN REILLY
MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL
^QllBYGClS ' ^e Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death, on November 11, 2014, at age 54, of Terrence PatrickAllen, a local labor leader and respected public servant; and
WHEREAS, One of eight siblings, Mr. Allen was born in Chicago on April 14, 1960 to Thomas and Irene Allen. He grew up on Chicago's Northwest Side, where he attended St. Eugene Elementary School. He and his twin brother Patrick attended St. Patrick High School together, where the inseparable brothers excelled in basketball and tomfoolery. Much to their parents' consternation, the harmless antics of these two high-spirited and fun-loving boys; frequently landed them in after-school detention or in the principal's office. It was there they forged a lifelong bond of friendship with two of their Christian Brothers' teachers. Brother Conrad Diebold and Brother David Galinski; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Mr. Allen attended Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois and Northeastern University in Chicago. After completing an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW"), Local 134, where he worked on the automated "people mover" system at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and on many other commercial and industrial projects, Mr. Allen earned his Class A Journeyman Wirernan credentials. He then worked for several years in the private sector before taking a position as an electrical inspector for Cook County; and
WHEREAS, A proud union member, who fully understood the power of collective action to improve workers' lives, Mr. Allen's career path came full circle when he accepted a position working for his beloved IBEW, Local 134, as its business agent. He later served as the local union's vice-president and, most recently, as its business manager; and
WHEREAS, Known to most as "Terry" or "Ter Dog," and also for his trademark greeting, "Howarya," Mr. Allen genuinely loved his union brothers and sisters at IBEW, Local 134. As business manager, Mr. Allen worked tirelessly to improve the wages, benefits and working conditions of union members in the electrical industry, and to implement ongoing training programs for union employees. Under Mr. Allen's guiding hand, IBEW, Local 134, partnered: with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to reduce on-the-job injuries and to increase workplace safety; and
WHEREAS, On November 8, 2013, His Eminence Francis Eugene Cardinal George presented Mr. Allen With the coveted Rerum Novarurh Award for Labor, conferred by St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University of Chicago, to honor persons in the field of labor who have proven outstanding in their support of three ideals: respect for the dignity of the human being, the right to organize and the right to a living wage; and
WHEREAS, A devout Catholic throughout his life, Mr. Allen was a faithful member of St. Thomas Villanova Parish in Palatine, Illinois. He held a special and sacred devotion to the Blessed Mother, Mary, Our Lady of Medjugorje. His pilgrimage in 2013 to Medjugorje, Croatia deeply moved and inspired him; and
WHEREAS, A sUperb husband and father, whose devotion to his family knew no bounds, Mr. Allen loved nothing more than to spend time with his lovely wife and children; including his two dogs, Duke and Rocky, whom he affectionately referred to as his canine "children"; and
WHEREAS, After he was diagnosed with cancer, Mr., Allen's quiet courage, resilience and unfailing good cheer provided hope and inspiration to his family and friends. A pillar of strength, Who waged his long battle against this unforgiving disease with dignity and honor, Mr. Allen fought the good fight, drawing fortitude from his motto, "Onward and Upward"; and
WHEREAS, A kind, humble, and compassionate man> with a gift for making people feel special, "Ter Dog" Allen will always be remembered for his outstanding service to the working men; and; women of this: great State; and as a man whose strength of character and legacy of love survive in the beautiful family he left behind; and
WHEREAS, Terry Allen is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his two sons, Billy and Michael; his. daughter, Amanda;, two sisters, Barbara and .Nancy; five brothers. Judge Thomas Allen, James, Tim, Dan and Patrick; two brothers-in-law, John Weimhoff and Alderman Tim Cullerton; five sisters-in-law, Jan, Lynn, Mary, Sue and Laura Allen; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eighteenth day of March, 2015, do hereby honor the life and memory of Terrence Patrick Allen and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Terrence Patrick Allen as a sign of our sympathy and respect.