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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MARCOS MUÑOZ
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called Marcos Muñoz from our midst on May 15, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz was born in Cuidad Acuña, Coahuila, México, on April 25, 1941 and migrated to Texas unaccompanied when he was thirteen years old seeking work to help support his mother, who was the sole support for a family of six children; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz accepted a job feeding animals in a farm for three dollars a day but after several months of work, his employer refused to pay him for his labor and instead reported him to immigration authorities causing Marcos’ deportation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz returned to the United States where the migrant trail led him to California where he joined the United Farm Workers (UFW) Union in 1965 who were on strike and demanding labor rights for farm workers. A demand that strongly resonated with him due to his firsthand experience of labor exploitation; and
WHEREAS, soon after joining (UFW) Mr. Muñoz became a lead organizer for Cesar Chávez, cofounder of the UFW Union and learned to practice nonviolence approach to organize change; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chávez sent Marcos Muñoz to organize the grape boycott in Boston in 1967. Within two years Marcos, single handedly and without any a formal training or education, removed grapes out of all national and regional supermarket chains across New England and became the East Coast Boycott Coordinator from 1970 to 1972; and
WHEREAS, during his time in the East Coast, Mr. Muñoz met his wife, Andrea O'Malley; and
WHEREAS, given his success as an organizer and his leadership skills, he was assigned as the Midwest Boycott Coordinator and arrived in Chicago where he continued in that role until 1975; and
WHEREAS, after his UFW role and successfully advocating for farmer rights, Mr. Muñoz settled in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood and organized forty-five (45) block clubs in Latino and African-American neighborhoods, which allowed neighbors to take ownership and action to improve the living conditions in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz became a steel worker for eleven (11) years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz joined the Cook County Health System (CCHS) as the Manager of Supplies and Linen and dedicated eleven (11) years to working for the largest safety-net health system in Cook County;
WHEREAS, later, Mr. Muñoz joined the Community Board of Cook County Health Dr. Jorge Prieto Family Health Center in Little Village; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz’s contributions, grassroots organizing, and mentorship have help elect many responsive Latino elected officials at varies level of government from the community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz is survived by his wife, Andrea O’Malley Muñoz; daughter María
Muñoz; grandson Anthony Thompson and his wife, Montenay Thompson; and great-grandson Zion Omega Thompson; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Muñoz will always be remembered as a social justice activist with a passion to improve the lives of others and his legacy and teachings will transcend generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family, colleagues, and many friends of Marcos Muñoz, and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy be tendered to the family of Marcos Muñoz so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
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