Resolution
WHEREAS, We, the members of the Chicago City Council, wish to honor the life of Rev. Dr. Leon Dorsey Finney Jr. A devoted resident of the City of Chicago and a leader in the African-American community; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Leon Dorsey Finney, Jr. was born in the town of Louise, Mississippi, on July 7, 1938. While he spent the early years of his childhood in the South, his family relocated to Chicago when he was young, and he split time between Chicago and Nashville, Tennessee where he lived with his grandparents; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 12, after attending elementary school in Nashville, he returned to Chicago and attended Hyde Park Academy High School; where he participated on the track team. Upon graduating in 1957, he faithfully served his country in the United States Marine Corps, during which he held positions as a policeman and criminal investigator; and
WHEREAS, After returning home from the service he worked as a commercial paper trader for the First National Bank of Chicago. Later in life, Rev. Finney earned post-baccalaureate degrees in economics, urban community development, theological studies and public administration from Goddard College, McCormick Theological Seminary and Nova University; and
WHEREAS, While Reverend Finney was known to be a man of greatness in many areas, his greatest passion was serving his community. In 1964, he became involved with The Woodlawn Organization (TWO); initially as an organizer, then in 1967 due to his hard work he became the executive director, and in 1969 became the president. During the 1960s, TWO helped cite property owners who were deemed slumlords in the Woodlawn area. Under this leadership the organization also stood in opposition of the expansion of the University of Chicago into the Woodlawn community. Thereby preserving the area for residents who otherwise would have been displaced. He worked tirelessly to revitalize the area throughout his life through TWO and its development arm the, Wood...
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