OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
April 15,2015
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 our former colleague, Bernard Stone.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours.
Mayor
h^IM BityBound! ; off" Qity of Qhicago, Illinois
MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL APRIL 15.2015
resented % mayor rahm emanuel m
\ereas , The Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death on December 22, 2014, at age 87, of our former colleague, Alderman Bernard Stone of the 50,h Ward. Alderman Stone served the people of the 50,h Ward with dedication and distinction for thirty-eight years, a tenure remarkable for its longevity; and: -
WHEREAS, Alderman Stone was born on November 24, 1927 in Chicago's 50,h Ward, where he was a lifelong resident. Bernard met his wife, Lois, at North Avenue Beach while he was on a one-day pass from the United States Army. The happy couple was married for forty-six years until Lois' passing ,in 1995; and
WHEREAS, A product of the Chicago Public Schools, Alderman Stone graduated from Wright Junior College (now Wilbur Wright Community College) and John Marshall Law School. A practicing attorney for more than SO years, Alderman Stpne specialized in real estate law. He also worked as a Cook County Sheriff. Alderman Stone was first elected to the Chicago City Council in 19,73 fo fill a vacant aldermanic seat, and he then went on to serve nine full terms in office, He left office in 2011; and
:. WHEREAS; Alderman Stone was an active and influential member of many City£Council Committees. He served as Chairman of the City Council Committee on Buildings, and as a member of the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, Committee on Finance, Committee on Historic Landmark Preservation, Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Committee on Traffic Control and Safety; and Committee on Committees, Rules and Ethics. From 1998 through 2011, Alderman Stone also served as Vice-Mayor of the City of Chicago; and , :".
.(. WHEREAS, A vigorous advocate for.the people of the 50th Ward, Alderman
Stone strongly believed that the role of alderman did not stop at the doors of the
City Councirchamber; and '--V - ,
WHEREAS, Alderman Stone made it a habit to participate on a daily basis in local events affecting his constituency. He regularly attended local condominium, community and neighborhood association meetings; helped innumerable residents gain access to city services; maintained a fully staffed, full-service ward office; and held drop-in office hours every Monday and Thursday evening to accommodate the residents of his community; and
WHEREAS, Widely admired for his inclusive attitude and welcoming style, Alderman Stone strongly encouraged the 50th Ward's diverse social' groups to organize and participate in city government; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Stone brought vitality; beauty and economic development to the 50th Ward. The effects of his many efforts to improve the quality of life in his Ward are still evident. Alderman Stone not only encouraged the development of local business, he led the_.effort to revitalize Devon Avenue, helping it to become the vibrant commercial area that it is today; and
WHEREAS, Under Alderman Stone's leadership; the 50th Ward experienced dramatic, sustainable increases in public health and well-being. Alderman Stone wgs particularly proud of the impressive work he did to decrease the size of classrooms in Chicago schools, to reduce crime in the 50th Ward by persuading city officials to place police cameras at troubled locations in the community, and to promote affordable housing and economic development; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Stone gave generously of his time to our City, both before and after his .retirement from public service. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, Decalogue Society, B'Nai B'rith, Northtown Civic Association, West Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Board of High Ridge YMCA/ Congregation Ezras Israel, Art Institute of , Chicago, Chicago Architecture Society, and the Field Museum; and.
WHEREAS, A fun-loving person with many interests; who eagerly embraced
new challenges, Aldermpn Stone took acting lessons in the late 1990s. At age
68, he made his stage debut as one of the leads in the contemporary comedy
"Three Sisters (Not by Chekhov)" at Chicago's Greenhouse Theater Center on
North Lincoln Avenue. Alderman Stone also enjoyed the cinema, amassing a
collection of over 5,000 films; and / ]
WHEREAS, A warm, thoughtful and intelligent man, who possessed q strong
sense of fairness and a passion for justice, Alderman Stone will always be
remembered as an exemplary public servant and tis a distinguished son of
Chicago; and '\'' -:'
WHEREAS, Alderman Bernard Stone is survived by his daughters^ liana Fefetitsch and Lorj Schlossberg; his son, Jay Stone;, his sister, Dfelores Bqrth; and seven grandchildren; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of jhe City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this fifteenth day of April, 2015, do hereby honor the life and memory Of Alderman Bernard ("Berny") Stone; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
presented to the family of Alderman Bernard ("Berny") Stone as a token of our
sympathy and esteem. -''-v v ;