MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR THE BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 2020
Title
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners celebrating the life of Richard Barnett
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WHEREAS, Richard Barnett is celebrated as a civil rights leader and a political activist who forever changed the political landscape of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, born into a large family, Mr. Barnett grew up on the South Side of Chicago where he attended Wendell Phillips High School; and
WHEREAS, it was at Wendell Phillips High School where Mr. Barnett met and fell in love with Grace Burgess. To this union were born three children: Annitria, Jeneria, and Jarmel; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barnett was employed as a postal clerk, where he worked proudly for many years; and
WHEREAS, capitalizing on the wave of support of the civil rights movement, Mr. Barnett became active in the politics of Chicago. He is credited with assisting numerous mayors, judges, aldermen, congressmen, and other elected officials from many different nationalities and ethnicities conduct successful campaigns and win elections; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barnett’s legacy includes many accolades, including leading the charge on the issue of whether Chicago ward boundaries were drawn in such a way as to dilute the power of the African American and Hispanic vote; and
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2007, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) President Kari K. Steele was presented with the Richard Barnett Legacy Award by Alderman Freddrenna Lyle; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barnett passed from this life on December 28, 2019. He is survived by his children Annitria, Jeneria, and Jarmel, his brother Austin, and a multitude of other family members, friends, and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barnett devoted his life to the fight for equality, sharing his passion for a fair and just political system with all that he encountered. He taught people the importance of presentation and the value of pride and respect; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barnett paved a path for success for many people. He will be forever remembered as a steward of the community and champion for people whom he believed in. As a recipient of the “Richard Barnett Legacy Award” District President Kari K. Steele values the lessons shared by Mr. Barnett and often models his vision of what a public servant should be; 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, do hereby extend our condolences to the family of Richard Barnett, acknowledge his numerous contributions to the citizens of Chicago, and express gratitude for his legacy; 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 Richard Barnett.
Dated: January 23, 2020