MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 3, 2013
Title
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Johnny Lira
Body
WHEREAS, Johnny Lira was born July 31, 1951 and never strayed far from his West Town neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lira, nicknamed "World Class Pug" was called to eternal rest too soon; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lira is survived by his daughters, Nina, Kimberly and Gina; and his son LeVarge; and
WHEREAS, a troublemaker in his youth, Johnny was given a second chance by Judge Marvin Aspen, who saw potential in him and made his release conditional on his training to be a boxer; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lira became a Golden Gloves champion the year he was released, turned pro in 1976 and won the U.S. lightweight title in 1978; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lira retired from boxing in 1984 with a 29-6-1 record, including 15 knockouts; and
WHEREAS, in retirement, capitalizing on his street-savvy, Mr. Lira worked as a boxing promoter, became involved in politics, took bit roles in movies and distributed a business card which read, "Character Extraordinaire"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lira enjoyed mentoring and working with kids as often as he could at the Union League Boys and Girls Club, using his life story as an example of how to turn a life in a positive direction; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lira will be dearly missed by his family, friends and the many kids he mentored over the years; 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 Johnny Lira; 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 Johnny Lira.
Dated: January 3, 2013
Approved: BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Acting President; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ; FRANK AVILA; KATHLEEN THERESE MEANY; DEBRA SHORE; MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS; 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