RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Honorable Frederick Wayman "'Duke" Slater was a former star lineman of the Iowa Hawkeyes; a trailblazing professional football player for nine full seasons in the National Football League; and the first African American jurist to become a member of the Superior Court of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater has been praised by his peers as an NFL trailblazer and recognized by sports historians as one of the greatest linemen in college football history; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater was named All-Pro as a member of the Chicago Cardinals in seven different seasons; and
WHEREAS, for his many spectacular accomplishments both on and off the athletic field, and by paving the way for African-American players to compete and excel in the college ranks and at the professional level, the Honorable Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater deserves a rightful place of honor in the Professional Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio, but has thus far been denied; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of this disappointing omission by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater, the eldest of six children born to George and Letha Slater in Normal, Illinois on December 9, 1898 spent his early childhood years on the South Side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, at age thirteen he relocated with his family to Clinton, Iowa, where his father, the Reverend Mr. Slater, a respected Methodist minister, received appointment as a pastor; and
WHEREAS, pursuing his passion for football, the Honorable Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater played three full seasons for the Clinton High School varsity where he led the team to state championships in 1913 and 1914; and
WHEREAS, upon admission to the University of Iowa in 1918, the Honorable Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater joined the Iowa Hawkeyes coached by Howard Jones; and
WHEREAS, under Coach Jones' expert guidance...
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