OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
April 19,2017
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Burke, Quinn and O'Shea, a congratulatory resolution concerning Special Olympian Tommy Shimoda.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
reso
adopud by Tlie Qity QoUHcil
<«*« GiLyof: &cago7B/&S "
Aldermen Matthew J.O'Shea, Edward M. Burke,
nr\ Marty Quinh, and .
cm April 19,2017
Ifjresented by ■■ Mayor ttahmEmqnuel ■
'WrlCreWS ' Thomas Shimoda was diagnosed with autism, and relies upW a voice output device called a "talker" toassjst his verbal communications;and -X,:
. WHEREAS, Notwithstanding his autism, at age eight Tommy became involved with • Speaal Q'ympics, Chicago through -. the Mount Greenwood Special Recreation Association; where he.developed a love fprqthletics and competition; and" "
^ .JVHEREAS, An avid athlete, Tommy has competed, in over 20 different sports .with
he Chicago Park District over the last 20 .years,, including basketball Softball; volleyball
■ track and field, swimming, gymnastics, sYiowshdeing, bowling,: bocce, hockey skiina'
... .and ice skating;-and . . ■ :'-.,-:'\ -
WHEREAS, A resident of the Mount Greenwood' neighborhood, Tommy is -a
graduate of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences; and ' . "
' : WHEREAS/Tommy is still a competitor with SpecidhOlympids^Chicdgo: and he spends: many hours eachweek training Jor;speed. sl<ating«at.t.h'.e Morgan Park Sports Center,.working on drills for speed; balance; and erficiency^nd :; . ,
WHEREAS, tommy's training and hard wo.rk.paid off in. February, when he won two-
gold medals and a silver medal in-speed skating at the Special Olympics Illinois 2016
Skating Championships; and .-, . ... . : / .
: ". X WHEREAS, Tommy's efforts resulted in his being selected to .represent the-United' -: States as part of Team U.SA at. the 2017 SpWial'plympiGs World Winter Games in Austria ' the only Special Olympics athlete from Chicago chosen -forthis honor; and ' V" '■
; WHEREAS, At the'Special Olympics :World Winter Games more than 3 000 athletes '
■ from around the world competed in eight.Olympic-style sporting events, including spied
skating; and .'.;;:--.' • - :^-'-;.yu .yj;-. ':' , ■'■ - -
v.f,.:. J%-\-
. WHEREAS, Following a send-off party attended -by .well-wishers at Mount;.- ;
Greenwood Park, Tommy traveled to Graz, Austria with his mother, aunt, brother, two '.
friends, and his coach, who all cheered him on as he won a gold medal in the 500 meter ;V.
race, and a bronze medal in the 777 meter race; and- . - •■' .-'' ^ "-; ■■ ■. '• -'; •'
WHEREAS, Serving as an exampleito us all of how hard work and perseverance
can overcome adversity and lead to success, Tommy embodies the courage present in
the Special Olympics athlete oath "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let Trie be brave'iri the '■■
attempt"; and . ;: . ■ -,/
WHEREAS, In addition to being a dedicated athlete, Tommy also gives of his own
time by volunteering as an assistant coach at Mount Greenwood Park; .now,,
therefore, ~" ". <■ ■ y.-' : ;-.:-' y";
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor -and "the Members of the City Council, . \.
assembled this nineteenth day of April, 2017, do hereby express our sincere
congratulations to Thomas Shimoda on his performance at the 2017 Special Olympics ' ■-'-■
World Winter Games, and commend him. for his dedication to athletics and service .to
the community; and ■:"'-'!: ' '' ^ '
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Thomas Shimoda as a token of our appreciation and esteem.
