RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Martin "Marty" Sheets has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 62; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Greensboro, North Carolina, Martin "Marty" Sheets was a Special Olympics pioneer who was awarded seven medals at six Special Olympics World Games, beginning with the inaugural games held at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Born with Downs syndrome, Martin "Marty" Sheets first participated in athletic events at a summer camp for special needs children run by the Greensboro Educational Department which was supported by a grant from the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation; and
WHEREAS, During 42 years of competition at local, state, national and international competitions, Martin "Marty" Sheets won more than 250 medals; and
WHEREAS, Martin "Marty" Sheets competed in swimming, golf, Alpine skiing, powerlifting and tennis; and
WHEREAS, Martin "Marty" Sheets was the only Special Olympics athlete inducted, into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, In 1999 North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., presented Martin "Marty" Sheets with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of his outstanding representation of the state; and
WHEREAS, The athletic ability, hard work and dedication of Martin "Marty" Sheets serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, A caring and loving soul, Martin "Marty" Sheets was a much-beloved and inspirational figure who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
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WHEREAS, To his parents, David and Iris, and his two sisters, Nancy and Jamie, Martin "Marty" Sheets 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 seventeenth day of June, 2015, do hereby commemorate Martin "Marty" Sheets for his grace-filled li...
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