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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BYNC) is one of the country's oldest non-profit community organizations and 2013 will mark the 75th Anniversary of the BYNC, to be celebrated with a Diamond Jubilee Gala at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on the 3rd of October of 2013; and
WHEREAS, the BYNC is a community organization whose mission is to enhance the general welfare of all residents, organizations, and businesses by integrating social service and economic development programs; and
WHEREAS, the BYNC is located on Chicago's Southwest side, in the community area of New City, its neighborhood extending north to south from roughly 31st Street to 55th Street and east to west from the Dan Ryan Expressway to Pulaski Road; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Meegan, the Davis Square Park superintendent, and Saul Alinsky, a colorful, professional community organizer, founded the BYNC in 1939 to be a unified voice for the neighborhood to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses alike; and
WHEREAS, during its earliest years, the neighborhood was home to the Union Stockyards and an active and bustling meatpacking industry, at the same time the region was dealing with juvenile delinquency, poverty, housing issues, and social disorganization as chronicled in Upton Sinclair's famous novel, The Jungle; and
WHEREAS, today the BYNC offers a variety of programs including the Ballet Folklorico, a free senior citizen shuttle bus, a public computer lab with computer literacy training, GED classes taught in Spanish, ESL classes, an after-school tutoring program, senior home repair, senior advocacy, job readiness and linkage services, an Industrial Retention program, the organization of the annual Fiesta Back of the Yards, technical assistance to small businesses, LISC's New Communities Program, and the administration of four Special Service Areas; and
WHEREAS, although the Back of the Yards Community is faced with a number of challenges, the BYNC works diligently throughout the year to ensure that it is a desirable place to live by hosting vibrant community events, creating public spaces and opportunities for community engagement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby congratulate the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council on celebrating its 75th Anniversary; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council in honor of this anniversary.
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