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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF KASIA BOBER AND HER APPOINTMENT AS HONORARY COOK COUNTY DEPUTY TREASURER
WHEREAS, Kasia Bober celebrates her 80th birthday on November 6, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Kasia Bober has been appointed as an Honorary Cook County Deputy Treasurer by Treasurer Maria Pappas; and
WHEREAS, the deli that carries her first name, located at 2101 W. Chicago Ave. in the Ukrainian Village area of Chicago, draws customers from across Chicagoland because of its peerless pierogis and other savory foods; and
WHEREAS, Kasia’s Deli has welcomed presidents, governors, mayors and other luminaries who couldn’t believe food could be so good; and
WHEREAS, before there was Kasia’s, Kasmiera Bober left her native Poland and arrived in Chicago in February of 1974, unable to bring her three children with her but determined to do so; and
WHEREAS, Kasmiera worked odd jobs day and night to save the money that would begin to bring her children to her, and to survive; and
WHEREAS, Kasmiera, who spoke little English, got one of the great brainstorms of Chicagoland business history in 1982 when she saw a store for rent and, at age 39, rented it; and
WHEREAS, “Kasia’s Deli” began making and selling pierogis, along with other deli foods, with Kasia doing the cooking at night and working the counter by day; and
WHEREAS, the European community began to hear that Kasia’s Deli was the last word in the ethnic food it loved, a judgment soon joined by people of other communities; and
WHEREAS, after longing for her children for eight years, Kasia finally saved $3,000 to start bringing Barbara, Chris and Maria to her in Chicago, to her total joy; and
WHEREAS, her children helped Kasia’s Deli serve fresh sandwiches, potato pancakes, soups, salads and contentment to eager visitors, and then sell to Costco, Dominick’s, Jewel, United Airlines and other businesses; and
WHEREAS, Kasia’s Deli had a booth at the 1999 Taste of Chicago, and was an absolute hit; and
WHEREAS, Newsweek Magazine put Kasia’s at No. 7 in its list of 15 Best Foods in America; and
WHEREAS, President Bill Clinton was one of many political luminaries to enjoy Kasia’s pierogis; and
WHEREAS, Martha Stewart visited Kasia’s to check out the pierogis; Kasia wasn’t there at the time but Martha waited two hours for her; and
WHEREAS, Kasia Bober, who first worked to survive but has thrived, has a generous heart; and
WHEREAS, Kasia has provided free food to the homeless and to numerous churches; and
WHEREAS, because Kasia’s Polish roots are important to her she is well known at the Polish National Alliance, the Polish Museum, the Polish Consulate, other Polish organizations and groups to which she has provided food; and
WHEREAS, Kasia never enters a room she doesn’t light up, and has helped the Office of the Cook County Treasurer enable Polish immigrants make a successful transition to a new society; and
WHEREAS, in appreciation of Kasia’s important service to the community, Treasurer Pappas has declared Kasia Bober to be Honorary Cook County Deputy Treasurer; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Board of Commissioners of Cook County join in wishing this modest but astonishing woman a most Happy Birthday; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that life is sweet but it’s sweeter at Kasia’s.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text is spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and a suitable copy of same be tendered to Kasia Bober.
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