title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE JUDGE ANTHONY BURRELL
WHEREAS, Judge Anthony Burrell, a man whose inspirational life story of altered trajectories and accomplished leadership and service, died far too soon at age 52 after a long battle with cancer. Judge Burrell left behind countless friends, family and a community enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, Anthony Burrell was born on the west side of the city of Chicago where, at an early age he confronted issues of violence and was an eye-witness to many of the social pathologies and lack of opportunity associated with the poverty that exists there; and
WHEREAS, Anthony Burrell's exceptional talent revealed itself early in life. As a young student, his essay about Michele Clark won distinction and resulted in the naming of a new Chicago school, the Michele Clark Academic Preparatory Magnet High School, on Chicago's West Side in the heart of the South Austin Community. In 1974, Austin Middle School was renamed to honor the Chicago based journalist, who was killed in a plane crash in December 1972. Anthony Burrell's essay and award ceremony were featured on a nationally syndicated television show; and
WHEREAS, Anthony Burrell nearly succumbed to the pressure of street gangs; he dropped out of Austin High School as a freshman. However, shortly afterward, he completely changed the direction of his life. He sought and obtained his general equivalency diploma. Next, he pursued criminal justice classes at Malcolm X College and later graduated from Loyola University in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, while at Loyola, Anthony Burrell was, again recognized for academic ability; he received the Dean Charles Hart prize. The Hart Prize was established posthumously by Dr. Hart's colleagues in the English department at Loyola. It is given each year to a graduating senior who has excelled as a student of literature; and
WHEREAS, because Anthony Burrell had entirely changed the dire...
Click here for full text