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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF MAYOR JOE W. FREELON
WHEREAS, almighty God in his infinite wisdom called Mayor Freelon from our midst on November 18, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Freelon was born in 1929 in Greneda, Mississippi, and grew up there; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Freelon married his wife Gladys 61 years ago and together they raised two children; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Freelon honorably served in the United States Army for three years after high school before attending Tuskegee University and re-entering the Army as a Surface to Air Missile Officer at Fort Bliss; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Freelon continued his dedication to public service when he moved to Chicago, working as a teacher and instructional team leader for Chicago Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Freelon was elected Mayor of Maywood, Illinois, in 1981, making him the first African American to hold that post; and,
WHEREAS, Mayor Freelon was a deeply devout Christian who served as chairman of the Deacon Board of Second Baptist Church for more than 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Freelon was dedicated to the betterment of his community and donated considerable time and effort to a slew of community organizations in Maywood and Cook County; and
WHEREAS, the legacy of Mayor Freelon will live on in Maywood for generations,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners honor the life of Mayor Joe W. Freelon and extend deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends.
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