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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE PIONEERING SPIRIT OF DAVID F. JAMES, CIVIL RIGHTS CHAMPION, ATTORNEY AND TUSKEGEE AIRMAN
WHEREAS, David F. James, an exceptional man whose life was devoted to family, social justice and his community died at the age of 92 leaving behind a devoted family, countless friends and a community profoundly enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, David James represented the best qualities of citizenship and humanity through his tireless work breaking down barriers. He will long be remembered for making history on numerous fronts; he was the first African-American salesperson hired by the electronics company Burroughs, first African-American attorney hired by the American Bar Association, and the first African-American home owner in Winnetka; and
WHEREAS, David F. James was born in 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri to William and Ada James who instilled in their children strong values of service, education and dedication to community
WHEREAS, David James was not satisfied with simply making history for himself, his dedication to justice and equality drove him to create organizations devoted to breaking down the barriers for others. James and his wife, Mary, established Together We Influence Growth (TWIG) Day Camp that brings together children from South Side neighborhoods and children from the North Shore. James was also a founding member of the North Shore Interfaith Housing Council now called Open Communities, which is organized to fight housing discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Mr. James grew up on the south side of Chicago and attended Lane Tech High School where he developed a fondness for aviation. Afterwards, he attended Loyola University. During his freshman year in college James joined the Army. Because the Army was racially segregated he was forced to go to the only training facility for black pilots at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He flew in numerous bombing missions with the 332nd Fighter Group over Germ...
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