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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING P.J. O'DEA, THE MAN FROM CLARE
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea has retired from the Cook County Sheriff's Department after over twenty years of outstanding public service; and
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea distinguished himself as a liaison to the Irish community and at the Maywood Courthouse where he received countless commendations throughout the years attesting to his exceptional work ethic, professionalism, integrity, generosity, kindness and compassion toward others; and
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea is a lifetime advocate and ardent promoter of Gaelic culture and heritage, known for his work promoting the Irish American News, the Chicago Irish Radio Hour, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the annual O'Dea family reunions held at the O'Dea Castle in County Clare, Ireland; and
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea was born in Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland in 1926, and became a legend in his own lifetime as an Irish football and hurling sensation both in Ireland and the United States where for three decades during the 1930's, 40's and 50's he played with fifty-two clubs in eleven cities and four countries; he won the All-Ireland Medal for hurling in 1939 then settled in Chicago opening the Notre Dame Inn; and
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea founded and became a prominent figure in the development of the Gaelic Athletic Association in the United States; and
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea was honored in 2007 at Chicago's historic Gaelic Park by a delegation from the County Clare Tourist Council for his invaluable contribution to the Gaelic Athletic Association; in 2009 he was inducted into the San Francisco GAA Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea has been married to the love of his life Mary for 50 years, with whom he shares a great love of Gaelic culture, a dedication to their community and especially spending time with each other; and
WHEREAS, P.J. O'Dea has led an exemplary life and is a man of great accomplishment and an inspiration to us all, wholly dev...
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