OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT MAYOR
February 1, 2023
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen O'Shea, Tunney, Rodriguez, Cappleman, Sposato, Vasquez, Dowell. Hadden, Waguespack, Silverstein, Ervin, Scott, Villegas, Gardiner, Martin, Sadlowski-Garza, Elopkins and Hairston, a memorial resolution honoring Shirley Newsome, community activist and former Fourth Ward Alderman.
Your favorable consideration ofthis resolution will be appreciated.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Shirley J. Newsome, at age 77, on December 25, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was born to the Reverend Charlie Murray, Senior, and Blancy Lillie Strong on August 15,1945; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome attended John Marshall Metropolitan High School and Chicago Teachers College, now Chicago State University College of Education; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was committed to her faith, attending New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, where her father was the pastor, in her early life and later joining Monumental Baptist Church, where she served in multiple leadership positions; and
WHEREAS, before retiring in 2006, Shirley Newsome worked as an executive and judicial assistant, legal secretary, and stenographer across various U.S. government agencies for more than forty-five years, including thirty-three years with the Federal Circuit Court system and eleven years with the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; and
WHEREAS, in the late 1970s, Shirley Newsome moved to the Oakland community area where she became a well-known community leader and caretaker, founding the Lake Park-Berkely-Ellis-Drexel Block Club Association; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome's work led to the development and revitalization of the neighborhood, where she participated in the planning meetings that led to the City's designation of North Kenwood-Oakland as a conservation area and served as co-chair of the Kenwood-Oakland Neighborhood Planning Committee; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Shirley Newsome was appointed chairman of the City's North Kenwood-Oakland Community Conservation Council, which oversaw efforts to redevelop the neighborhood, approving numerous housing developments and infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Shirley Newsome joined the South East Chicago Commission, where she later served eleven years as board president, leading efforts in housing, transportation, business development and retention, neighborhood improvement, and arts and culture; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Shirley Newsome to serve as alderman of the Fourth Ward from January to May of 2011; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome belonged to several organizations, serving as board chairman of the Quad Communities Development Corporation, vice-chair of the University of Chicago Charter School, and vice-chair and commissioner of the Chicago Community Development Commission; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was also a member of the Obama Presidential Library Community Advisory Council, the Ida B. Wells Commemorative Art Committee, and the Fourth Ward Democratic Organization, from whom she received the Leadership Award in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome's civic engagement continued as a member and community representative of several Chicago Housing Authority working groups, and Chicago Park District advisory councils; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome's community service was recognized by multiple organizations, including Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, Genesis
Housing Development Corporation, the Abraham Lincoln Centre, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard Newsome; her son, Glenn M. Murray; her brother, Kim Murray; and her sisters, Patricia Murray-Hymon and Stephanie James Murray; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome is survived by her brother, the Reverend Charles Murray, Junior; her sister, Ruby J. Ruff; her granddaughter, Naquitta Dent; her three greatgrandchildren; and countless other family members and friends; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this first day of February, 2023, do hereby honor the life and memory of Shirley Newsome; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of the Shirley Newsome as an expression of our sympathy, gratitude, and utmost respect.
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