RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 7, 2026
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and honoring Don V. Villar
Body
WHEREAS, on March 28, 1979, President Jimmy Carter issued Presidential Proclamation 4650 designating the week beginning May 4, 1979 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, highlighting the dynamic role that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in our society with contributions in the fields of science, arts, industry, government, and commerce; and
WHEREAS, on October 23, 1992, Public Law 102-450 was passed designating May of each year as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. With the passage of this Law, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month became an enduring symbol of the appreciation and gratitude of the United States towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander community; and
WHEREAS, Don V. Villar currently serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor, having previously served as the President of National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians, Communications Workers of America (NABET-CWA) Local 41. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is honored to have Mr. Villar as the guest speaker at this year’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Villar is the child of Filipino immigrants who always valued labor and organizing for better wages and conditions, instilling in him a similar drive. Due to a union security guard job, Mr. Villar was able to attend and graduate from UIC, after which he had a nearly 25-year career at WLS-TV Chicago, even winning an Emmy Award for breaking news coverage; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Villar is also a strong supporter of community engagement, and sits on the board of the Communications Workers of America Illinois Unified Council and is in the Campaign Cabinet of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will host an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month lunch event on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. in the Board room at the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie St., Chicago. Mr. Villar will be providing an engaging conversation on “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together”; 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 our staff, do hereby recognize May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and honor Don V. Villar; 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.
Dated: May 7, 2026