Record #: R2016-249   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 4/13/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Finance
Final action: 5/18/2016
Title: Renaming of South Water Purification Plant at 3300 E Cheltenham Pl as "Eugene 'Gene' Sawyer Water Purification Plant"
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M., Sawyer, Roderick T., Mitchell, Gregory I.
Topic: COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEARINGS - Committee on Finance
Attachments: 1. R2016-249.pdf

Resolution

 

 

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has a rich history of honoring famous public figures by naming prominent buildings memorializing their highly distinguished public service; and !

WHEREAS, The State Building located on 100 W. Randolph, was renamed in 1993 in honor of James R. Thompson, the 37th and longest serving Governor of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Cook County Civic Center located at 50 West Washington Street was named after Richard J. Daley who was Mayor of Chicago for 21 years, and the Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee for 23 years; and j

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois Annex Building located at 160 North LaSalle Street was named after Michael A. Bilandic, the 49th Mayor of Chicago and former Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, The plaza surrounding the historic Chicago Water Tower on North Michigan Avenue was renamed the Jane M. Byrne Plaza in honor of the 50th Mayor of Chicago, Jane Byrne, the first and only female Mayor of Chicago; and 1

WHEREAS, The main branch of the Chicago Public Library, located at 400 S. State Street was named the Harold Washington Library Center in honor of Harold Washington, a former Congressman and State Legislator who became Chicago's 51st Mayor and was the only African-American to serve as the City's Chief Executive Officer; and

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WHEREAS, Also deserving of such an esteemed honor is Eugene "Gene" Sawyer, the 53rd Mayor of Chicago, who served in office from December 2, 1987 to April 24, 1989; and j

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WHEREAS, Born in Greensboro, Alabama, Eugene "Gene" Sawyer stujdied at Alabama State University and taught chemistry and mathematics before moving to Chicago to work in a laboratory; and j

WHEREAS, Eugene "Gene" Sawyer began his career in public service with the Chicago Department of Water from 1959 until 1971; and

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WHEREAS, Eugene "Gene" Sawyer was first elected Alderman of Chicago's 6th Ward in 1971, and served with honor and distinction in that office under four different mayors; and j

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WHEREAS, As Alderman, Eugene "Gene" Sawyer became President Pro Tempore of the City Council and Chairman of the City Council Committee on Committees, Rules and Ethics under Mayor Harold Washington; and 1

 

WHEREAS, In December of 1987, following the death of Mayor Washington, Eugene "Gene" Sawyer was elected by his colleagues as the Mayor of the City of Chicago; and

 

WHEREAS, Among Eugene "Gene" Sawyer's many accomplishments as Mayor were the passage of the City's Human Rights Ordinance and the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance; and 1

 

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago intends to designate a suitable commemoration to honor Eugene "Gene" Sawyer in order to ensure that his legacy will never be forgotten; now, therefore I

 

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That the South Water Purification Plant, located at 3300 E. Cheltenham Place, shall be hereby officially named the "Eugene "Gene" Sawyer Water Purification Plant" in recognition of his achievements and as a symbol: of the esteem in which the late Honorable Eugene "Gene" Sawyer is held by the Mayor, the City Council, and'the residents of Chicago. j

Edward M. Burke, Alderman, 14th Ward