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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JOSEPH STRZELCZYK
WHEREAS, Joseph Strzelczyk, a man whose inspirational life spanned decades of selfless service as a soldier, business-owner, coach, and public servant, who on May 17, 2015 left behind a community profoundly enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS Joseph Strzelczyk honorably served in the United States Army and Reserves including a tour in Vietnam from 1962 to 1963; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Strzelczyk then began his career in public service as Special Recreation Instructor at the Chicago Park District; and
WHEREAS, in 1976, Joseph Strzelczyk began his own trading business where he owned a trading seat at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Strzelczyk authored a column for both the Daily Southtown and Chicago Softball Magazine as well as hosted the popular “Let’s Talk Softball” television show for the Jones, Multimedia and Metrovision cable systems and served as a sports commentator for 1570 AM sports radio’s “Miller Sports Report for several years; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Strzelczyk began his career as an elected official in 1990 as a Village Trustee in Summit, and then serving as Summit’s mayor from 1997 until his death; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Strzelczyk was the third member of his family to serve as Mayor, following his brother, Chester Strzelczyk (1977-1985) and uncle William Szarabajka (1943-1947); and
WHEREAS, Joseph Strzelczyk was fondly called “Mayor Joe” by Summit residents who remember him for his kindness and commitment to racial and ethnic diversity in public service by recruiting from the Village of Summit’s diverse population of Latino, African-American and white ethnic groups; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Strzelczyk’s love for the Village of Summit and its residents was unquestionable; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County commemorates the extraordinary life of Joseph Strzelcyk, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for his years of service to the residents of the Village of Summit and Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Joseph Strzelczyk.
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