MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 7, 2015
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Commissioner Gloria Alitto Majewski
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WHEREAS, Gloria Alitto Majewski, who served the citizens of Cook County as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District from 1984 to 2010, passed from this life on April 20, 2015; and
WHEREAS, it was only after the tragic and sudden loss of her beloved husband, the Honorable Chester Majewski, Commissioner of the Board of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, that her late mother, Rose Durante Alitto, encouraged and supported Gloria in her campaign to fill her late husband's unexpired term; and
WHEREAS, with her daughters in tow and with the strong support of the late Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, Teddy Lechowicz and Ralph Caparelli and dear friend and attorney Andrew Raucci, Gloria hit the campaign trail running, with the family car as her transportation and the kitchen table as her campaign headquarters; and
WHEREAS, once elected, Commissioner Majewski was instrumental in expanding the District's reach and educating the public regarding the District by developing a Public Education Program and personally speaking to thousands of organizations about the District; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Majewski quickly became a distinguished leader on the Board of Commissioners and in 1986 made history when she became the first woman chosen by her fellow board members to serve as Chairman of the Finance Committee, an office she retained until her last day of service; and
WHEREAS, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Commissioner Majewski pioneered a 5% or less tax cap on the District's tax levy four years before it was mandated by state law; and
WHEREAS, it was also not a coincidence that the District saw its bond rating improve to the highest rating it has ever been awarded by Fitch's, Moody's and Standard & Poor's during Commissioner Majewski's tenure as Chairman of the Finance Committee, becoming one of a very select few agencies to be awarded AAA, Aaa and AA+ ratings respectively; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Majewski's success wasn't limited to her role on the Finance Committee but also to the Maintenance and Operations Committee and as a Commissioner Board Member to the District Retirement Fund; and
WHEREAS, from 1987 until her retirement, Commissioner Majewski has safeguarded the District's Retirement Fund through sound fiscal management that resulted in steady and continued growth; and
WHEREAS, her knowledge of Maintenance and Operations was displayed early in her career as a Commissioner when she undertook a crusade to save the District millions of dollars while using European technology, all the while relying on American companies to develop a more efficient method of dewatering biosolids; and
WHEREAS, other various organizations have benefited from Commissioner Majewski's vast knowledge through her service on their executive boards, including but not limited to service on the boards at New Horizon Center, Governors State University, Village Scalabrini Home for the Aged and the Ground Hog Club; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Majewski, no stranger to public recognition, received, among others, the following awards: the Polish American Political League's Distinguished Service Award; the Disabled Veteran's "Commander's Award"; the New Horizons Center for the Developmentally Disabled "Special Friend to Special Children Award"; the Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Women's "Women of Achievement Award"; the Metropolitan Chicago Minority Enterprise Development Council's "Recognition Award"; and the Gregorian's "Humanitarian of the year Award";
WHEREAS, after she retired in 2010, the District honored Commissioner Majewski's 26 years of service by dedicating the Upper Des Plaines Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Reservoir in her name; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Majewski was reunited with her beloved husband, the Honorable Chester Majewski on April 20, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Majewski is survived by her daughters, Joy Adelizzi and Kimberly Feeney; her son-in-law, Tony Feeney; her grandchildren, Shannon and Daniel Feeney; her brother, Ronald Alitto; her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and many friends; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the citizens of Cook County remain grateful for the many contributions Gloria Alitto Majewski made to the quality of life in Cook County and honor her lifetime of dedicated public service; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, extend our sympathy and condolences to the family of Commissioner Gloria Alitto Majewski; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of Gloria Alitto Majewski.
Dated: May 7, 2015
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ; TIMOTHY BRADFORD; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; PATRICK D. THOMPSON; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel