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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUAN M. SOLIZ
WHEREAS, Juan M. Soliz was born in Texas on December 4, 1949, to Juan and Francisca (Arevinas); and
WHEREAS, Juan M. Soliz was the brother to Maria Antonia (Everardo) Acosta, and Gilbert; and
WHEREAS, Juan M. Soliz earned his Juris Doctor Degree in 1976 from The University of Washington at Seattle and devoted his life's work to social justice and immigration issues; and
WHEREAS, Juan M. Soliz moved to Chicago in 1978 to join The Legal Assistance Foundation and in 1980, he became the first Mexican/Native American Supervising Attorney of The Center for Immigrants; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, Juan M. Soliz became the first Mexican/Native American to run for Illinois State Representative; and
WHEREAS, after forming the Juan M. Soliz Independent Political Party, he became the first Mexican/Native American elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1984. He distinguished himself as an effective leader by his strong work protecting the rights of minorities, workers, women, and consumers; and
WHEREAS, in March of 1986, Juan M. Soliz accomplished an unprecedented double victory by winning the nomination as the Democratic candidate for Illinois State Representative and winning the election as Alderman of the 25th Ward on the same day; and
WHEREAS, while Alderman, Juan M. Soliz served as the first Mexican/Native American President Pro Tempore of the City Council, Chairman of the Human Rights and Consumer Protection Committee, and Chairman of the Aviation Committee; and
WHEREAS, Juan M. Soliz continued to defend immigrant rights and tirelessly advocate for comprehensive immigration reform throughout his lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Juan M. Soliz co-founded a group, M?xico Defiende Lo Tuyo in September 2017 to promote awareness of the defects in The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and how this treaty can be used to advance immigration reform; and
WHEREAS, Juan M. Soliz also co-founded UNITY Native American...
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