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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING DR. MARILYN PAGÁN-BANKS FOR HER TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO A JUST HARVEST
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks has served as Executive Director of A Just Harvest since October, 2002. Rev. Pagán-Banks was instrumental in leading A Just Harvest through a growth period during which the organization added advocacy and economic development programming targeting the root causes of hunger; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ. In addition to serving as executive director of A Just Harvest, she is a local pastor in Chicago. She is a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary and Chicago Theological Seminary. Rev. Pagán-Banks also serves as an Adjunct Professor with McCormick Theological Seminary and Garrett Theological Seminary and is a joyful contributor of Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle; and
WHEREAS, Pagán-Banks is committed to the liberation of oppressed peoples, building power and creating community. She is being honored by A Just Harvest on October 26, 2022 to acknowledge her twenty years of service and leadership to A Just Harvest in recognition of her strength and vision for liberating oppressed and colonized peoples, building power and creating community; and
WHEREAS, A Just Harvest is a community-based organization that has addressed hunger for over 39 years. Their mission is to fight poverty and hunger in the Rogers Park and greater Chicago community by providing nutritious meals daily while cultivating community and economic development and organizing across racial, cultural and socioeconomic lines in order to create a more just society; and
WHEREAS, A Just Harvest serves its mission through three main programs: The Community Kitchen - serving over 55,000 hot, nutritious meals each year and distributing several thousand pounds of fresh produce each month to individuals and families in need Community Education & Economic Development Programs - The Genesis Project, creates meaningful opportunities for community and economic development in urban agriculture, small business mentoring, and community-based learning partnerships. Northside P.O.W.E.R. (People Organized to Work, Educate and Restore) - an institution-based people’s power organization committed to addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty; and
WHEREAS, the overall economic and community development work of A Just Harvest was created with the goal of increasing economic sustainability by utilizing the assets, gifts, and abilities already present within the community; and
WHEREAS, the Just CIRCLES (Caring for and Investing in Returning Citizens Looking to Embody Success) program is A Just Harvest's response to reducing recidivism and violence by addressing the need for dignified and safe employment for our young adult neighbors who are under negative pressure on a daily basis from the state and peers alike; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Pagán-Banks has served the community with grace and power.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, honors Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks for her years of service to A Just Harvest and expresses its sincere appreciation for the work she has done for the residents of 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 Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks and to A Just Harvest.
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