RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 4, 2026
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as Pride Month and honoring Mary DeBacker
Body
WHEREAS, on June 28, 1969, the New York City Police Department conducted a raid of the Stonewall Inn, a tavern located in New York City’s Greenwich Village, which for many years had been considered a safe place to gather and celebrate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and people with other identities (LGBTQ+); and
WHEREAS, as a consequence of the raid, patrons of the Stonewall Inn, as well as bystanders and those passionate about LGBTQ+ equality responded with spontaneous acts of civil disobedience that lasted five days and transformed into a larger demonstration of resistance. The uprising at the Stonewall Inn subsequently became the catalyst for a burgeoning LGBTQ+ movement; and
WHEREAS, in June of 1970, in observance of the anniversary of the Stonewall Inn confrontation, activists and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community marched in numerous cities throughout the United States. This display of solidarity transformed into a month-long tribute to the Stonewall Inn upheaval and the LGBTQ+ populace; and
WHEREAS, Chicago has always been at the forefront of the movement for LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, the first organized campaign is credited as having begun in Chicago in the 1920s. With that historic legacy, Chicago was proudly one of the many cities that participated in the commemoration events of 1970, a tradition that has been followed every year since; and
WHEREAS, now known as Pride Month, June is celebrated throughout the United States with parades, marches, carnivals, parties, and other gatherings. Pride Month has received recognition from several presidents of the United States, including former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) has participated in Pride festivities for numerous years. This year in recognition of Pride Month, the District again raised the Pride flag outside of the main office building and each of the water reclamation plants. Additionally, the District hosted a lunch event on June 1 with the theme of “Water Connects Us, Pride Unites Us” to celebrate peace, equality, and community; and
WHEREAS, as part of this year’s Pride Month, the District is proud to recognize Mary DeBacker, a tireless advocate for both the environment and the LGBTQ+ community. Before her retirement, Ms. DeBacker worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), contributing to critical interagency hazard mitigation, disaster resilience planning, and safety coordination. In 2016, Ms. DeBacker was recognized by the Friends of the Chicago River with a "Spirit of the River" Award for her extensive hands-on environmental leadership and dedication to restoring historic natural habitats, specifically her work at Whistler Woods in the Calumet region. Ms. DeBacker recently joined the Board of Directors of the Center of Halsted, Chicago’s influential LGBTQ+ community resource center, where she will be able to continue her important work within the community; and
WHEREAS, the District is proud to celebrate the invaluable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals within our community and highlights the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ populace; 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 June as Pride Month and honor Mary DeBacker for her work within the LGBTQ+ community and her environmental stewardship; 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: June 4, 2026