SR0583 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0583 LRB093 22447 HSS 51882 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Ed Marciniak of Chicago on Sunday, May 23, 2004; and

WHEREAS, A life-long Chicago resident, Mr. Marciniak was born on December 17, 1917 to the late Walter and Hattie Marciniak who instilled in their three children the values of kindness, respect, tolerance, and compassion for all people, the understanding of a strong work ethic, and a steadfast belief in God; and

WHEREAS, Ed Marciniak began his life's work of advocating and speaking out for social justice issues as a college student when he joined the Catholic Worker movement in 1938; and

WHEREAS, Ed Marciniak was dedicated to his professional work and the issues he believed in, but his first love and life's priority was always his family, his loving wife Virginia, their four daughters Kate, Christina, Francesca, and Claudia, and his eight grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Ed Marciniak was a man of many talents and excelled in several vocations; he served as a professor at Loyola University, as publisher of Work magazine, as international vice-president of the Newspaper Guild, as director of Chicago's Commission on Human Relations, as deputy commissioner of Development and Planning for the City of Chicago, as a consultant to Federal agencies, and as the author of countless books and articles for local and national publications; and

WHEREAS, Ed Marciniak was a champion of a number of social justice issues but was particularly known for his work for civil rights; he taught the first college course in Chicago on race relations in the 1940s; he was a special consultant to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and he was known for his work on housing and development issues; and

WHEREAS, As a recognized national expert on public housing, Mr. Marciniak never wavered from his commitment to promote and work for quality affordable housing and sensible neighborhood development that would benefit all community residents; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, Ed Marciniak became the president of the Institute of Urban Life, a post he held until his death; and

WHEREAS, While at the institute, Mr. Marciniak published the following books: "Reclaiming the Inner City", "Reviving an Inner-City Community", "Reversing Urban Decline", "Non-Profits with Hard Hats", and "The Role of Chicago's Private Schools in Neighborhood Revitalization"; and

WHEREAS, Ed Marciniak was a man of deep faith who contributed to his church in a myriad of ways; and

WHEREAS, Ed Marciniak gave his time and resources to over 150 community organizations by serving on their boards, including the Chicago Urban League, Neighborhood Housing Services, Community Investment Corporation, the City Club, and the Illinois Humane Society for Children; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Ed Marciniak approached his teaching and work with the belief that change is possible; he demonstrated confidence in the goodness of humanity and a willingness to help individuals realize their personal power and reach their fullest potential; and

WHEREAS, Ed Marciniak was loved and respected by the thousands of students, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ed Marciniak, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ed Marciniak as an expression of our sincere condolences.