OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT
MAYOR
March 24, 2021
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Hadden, Osterman, Waguespack, Harris, Scott, Dowell, Lopez, Cappleman, Martin, Mitts, Rosa and Thompson, a memorial resolution honoring Robert T. Simpson, Jr.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Body were deeply saddened to learn of the January 6, 2021, death of Robert T. "Bob" Simpson, Jr., an outstanding labor leader who dedicated a lifetime of service to labor union development and progressive causes; and
WHEREAS, Bob was born on December 1, 1934, in Elkville, Illinois, to the late Robert T. Simpson, Sr., and Etta Claybrooks. After graduating from high school in 1952, Bob moved to Chicago and married the late Ann Bernice Clethen; and
WHEREAS, Following his move to Chicago, Bob became an employee at the Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalog House. He began organizing his fellow employees in 1953 and served as a union steward and member of the negotiating committee; and
WHEREAS, Bob put his union activities on hold for two years to serve in the United States Army Signal Corps. He was stationed in Germany as a communication specialist. Upon receiving an honorary discharge, Bob returned to Montgomery Ward in 1959; and
WHEREAS, The members of Teamsters Local 743 elected Bob as a trustee in 1962. He became Director of Organizing for Local 743 in 1966 and Recording Secretary in 1972. He was elected Vice President in 1984 and President in 1988, representing 23,000 members in what was, at the time, the largest local in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and
WHEREAS, Bob took on leadership roles locally and nationally with the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. In 1972, he was elected President of the Chicago Chapter ofthe CBTU, a position he held for over forty y...
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