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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
In Memory of Robert Roy, Jr.
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr., longtime criminal defender and legal services provider, passed away on October 14, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. was a veteran who after law school devoted himself to the delivery legal services to low income individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. was an innovator in the delivery of "integrated legal and social work services" for those facing criminal charges; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy Jr. was initially, from 1976-1979, an attorney with the Criminal Defense Consortium of Cook County, a progressive legal service project that provided fully funded legal criminal defense services in a holistic manner; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. was hired by the city of Evanston in 1979 to create the Evanston Defender Project to provide legal defense services for Evanston Youth and their families; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. as the director of the Evanston Defender Project, he designed the national model for legal delivery services to clients; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. in 1981 incorporated the Evanston Defender Office as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation which became one of the first in the nation of independent defender offices that provided full range legal services to the youth of one city in coordination with other community resources; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. became an expert in not-for-profit management and trained many lawyers to provide legal assistance to not-for-profit corporations; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. retired in 2010 from the Evanston Community Defender Office, and went into private practice; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. was active in working with many not-for-profit organizations, including Peer Services, Open Books, Youth Outreach Umbrella and many juvenile justice organizations; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy Jr. spent the last three years in private practice where he represented many individuals and not-for-profits; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. was the father of Kathryn Anne (Kate), Cook County Assistant State's Attorney and Robert Emmanuel (Rob); and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. worked extremely hard on behalf of all his clients, despite their inability to pay; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. inspired his clients to believe in themselves and work toward their dreams; and
WHEREAS, Robert Roy, Jr. inspired his colleagues in the legal profession to care and zealously advocate for their clients; and
WHEREAS, with the passing or Robert Roy, Jr., the legal aid community has lost a tremendous advocate, a public servant who dedicated his career to serving the poor and disadvantaged.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, takes great pleasure in commemorating the life of Robert Roy, Jr., and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County expresses heartfelt sympathy to his daughter Kate and son Rob and his cherished friend Maureen Durkin Roy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Robert Roy, Jr.
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