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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF JAMES MCKEE, JR.
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has called from our midst an individual who was a loving family man and who, through hard work, dedication and faith, championed the Chicago neighborhood of Grand Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, born on April 5, 1946, James McKee, Jr. was the oldest of ten children; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee learned the ironworking trade while working at Ryerson Steele Company, next worked construction on the Sears Tower skyscraper, and finally worked in the employ of the CTA for many years until retiring; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee was able to see the potential beauty in an abandoned property on the 4900 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue; he bought the property through the Chicago Abandon Property Program; he renovated it and moved into the neighborhood in December of 1994; and
WHEREAS, from this point forward, Mr. McKee immersed himself in a mission whose sole objective was to better the Grand Boulevard neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee joined the Grand Boulevard Home Owners' Association; he worked with neighbors to place a referendum on the ballot that would vote problem areas dry; he was active in the community policing initiative, was active in the judicial advocacy committee, and he attended court proceedings to support residents who had been victims of crime; additionally, Mr. McKee took part in a rapid response group which met with the police immediately when crimes took place; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee went that extra mile for his neighbors and neighborhood, often helping to clean vacant lots, remove graffiti and trim shrubbery that obstructed views and posed safety hazards to residents; he was the type of neighbor who would help out another neighbor with a home improvement project; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee was involved on the community advisory boards for the development of Willard Square Apartments, an 80-unit low-income housing project, Vision House, a 25-apartment complex which housed individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, and QCDC, an umbrella organization which improved the quality of life of the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee also spent the majority of election days volunteering at the nearby polling places, and he availed his services to a number of political campaigns; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee was an inspiring and giving father, son, brother and uncle; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKee will be remembered by the many individuals whose hearts he touched.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, does offer its most sincere condolences during this time of loss and mourning to the family and friends of James McKee, Jr., and may a copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of James McKee, Jr., so that his memory may be honored and ever cherished.end