RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING JUNE 6, 2019
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as Puerto Rican Pride Month
Body
WHEREAS, in 1898, following the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired Puerto Rico under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States since 1917; and
WHEREAS, the first large wave of migration to Chicago came in the late 1940’s, where many settled in the "La Clark" neighborhood around Dearborn, La Salle and Clark Street just north of downtown; and
WHEREAS, by the 1960s, Chicago's Puerto Rican community moved into Humboldt Park and later established the Paseo Boricua which is the only official Puerto Rican recognized neighborhood in the country. This neighborhood is the political and cultural capital of the Puerto Rican community in the Midwest.
WHEREAS, you are welcomed into the Paseo Boricua by the Gateway Flags, which are two 59-foot tall steel Puerto Rican flags that bookend the paseo; and
WHEREAS, the 2010 Census counted approximately 103,000 Puerto Ricans living in Chicago, the third largest Puerto Rican population in the continental United States; and
WHEREAS, this year’s 41st Annual Chicago Puerto Rican People’s Parade will be held on Saturday June 15, 2019 in Humboldt Park; and
WHEREAS, for over a decade the District’s Commissioners and staff have participated in Puerto Rican People’s Parade; and
WHEREAS, the Puerto Rican People’s Parade has grown into one of the largest cultural celebrations in this community, and proudly showcases their rich cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, the Puerto Rican community is proud to be the fabric of this community that brings together area businesses, political figures, cultural centers, schools, community groups; and
WHEREAS, in 1994 a group of Puerto Rican attorneys met to discuss the possible formation of a bar association that would address issues affecting the Puerto Rican community; and
WHEREAS, the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois (PRBA) is a not-for-profit entity that was established to address issues affecting Latino lawyers and the Latino community; and
WHEREAS, the PRBA is committed to advocating for diversity in the Illinois Bar and among the students and faculty of Illinois law schools; to influence legislation and policies that are relevant to the common interests of Latino lawyers statewide; and to provide a professional and social network and support system for the lawyers, judges, and law students who advocate and share a common interest in diversity within the bar; and
WHEREAS, PRBA remains dedicated to promoting education and community service in both the Latino and legal communities. They support many programs and committees designed to further their commitment to the Latino community such as a collaboration with the Chicago Public Schools Lawyers in the Classroom Mock Trial program and continuous support of Latino law students through the PRBA Foundation Scholarship Program; and
WHEREAS, the PRBA has consistently provided a number of services to the Puerto Rican and Latino communities, including: yearly high school mock trials; yearly Law Day Middle School motivational talks; yearly Christmas Adopt-A-Family, wherein the organization provides meals, funds and holiday gifts to numerous needy families; regular community speaking engagements to answer residents legal questions, and educate them on the law; seminars for lawyers; and regular judicial evaluations in cooperation with the Alliance of Bar Associations; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years. It was classified as a Category 4 hurricane with 155-mph winds, making it the third-strongest storm to make landfall in the U.S. It destroyed homes, roads, and bridges. It caused power outages and heavy flooding throughout the island; and
WHEREAS, many organizations in Chicago helped with efforts for Hurricane Maria with the PRBA being one that stepped up for the cause; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is a world leader in stormwater management and recognizes the need for planning to mitigate catastrophes like those that hit Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago recognizes the PRBA of Chicago and its contributions to Cook County, Illinois and Chicago; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, do hereby recognize June as Puerto Rican Pride Month and the impact the Puerto Rican people have had in our communities, including the island of Puerto Rico.
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.
Dated: June 6, 2019