MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF AUGUST "AUGIE" SALLAS
WHEREAS, August "Augie" Sallas, loving father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend passed away on April 1, 2022, at the age of 86, following a lifetime of service to his community; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Augie's passing by the Honorable Michael Rodriguez, Alderman of the 22nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Augie was born on August 28, 1935 on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, to his parents, Lawrence and Victoria Lara; after losing both parents at a young age, Augie was raised in Angel Guardian Orphanage on the North Side of Chicago, then moved to Freeport, Texas, for a year with his grandfather, before he returned to Chicago to live with his step-grandfather; and
WHEREAS, Augie graduated from Chicago Vocational High School in South Chicago and secured employment as an apprentice in the printing industry, before marrying his wife, Margaret (nee Perez) and raising six children; and
WHEREAS, After he established himself as a journeyman printer, Augie joined the Chicago Typographical Union (CTU) Local 16; as an active unionist with CTU, he was elected 13 times and served in various positions including as president, where he helped end a 40-month strike with the Chicago Tribune; he has the distinction of being the only Mexican-American to be elected president; and
WHEREAS, Augie moved his family to the Little Village Community (South Lawndale) to begin his career of political activism; Augie believed that the 22nd Ward, with a majority population of Mexicans, should have the right to elect a Mexican American Alderman; his efforts were ultimately successful and he later devoted his time supporting the Democratic Party and community service; and
WHEREAS, After his printing career, Augie worked in City Hall for 14 years, where he served as manager of customer service and as a tour guide under the administration of Mayor Richard M. Daley; and...
Click here for full text