OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
November 14,2018
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a resolution memorializing the life of Henry Henderson. Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death on November 5, 2018, at age 66, of Henry L. Henderson, Chicago's first Commissioner ofthe Department of Environment, and a nationally renowned advocate for cleaner air and water; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Granite City, Illinois, Mr. Henderson and his childhood friends discovered that the water seeping into the basements of their homes after a heavy rain was so badly polluted that it could be lit on fire. The indelible mark left by this experience culminated in Mr. Henderson's decision later in life to pursue a career dedicated to protecting the environment and public health; and
WHEREAS, An energetic, intellectually curious and well-rounded young man, Mr. Henderson received a bachelor's degree in philosophy and theology from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, before heading to England to earn a master's degree in philosophy at Oxford University. In 1976, Mr. Henderson moved to Chicago, where he pursued a doctorate degree at the University of Chicago. Intrigued by the interplay between law and policy, Mr. Henderson enrolled in law school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he earned his juris doctor degree in 1982; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from law school, Mr. Henderson worked as an assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois focusing on environmental law before accepting a position with the City of Chicago Department of Law, where he continued to work on environmental issues; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, Mayor Harold Washington named Mr. Henderson to head the City's Commission on Shoreline Protection; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, M...
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