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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF EMILY HARRIS TO THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, as Vice President of Metropolis Strategies, Emily Harris led efforts to develop the Forest Preserves of Cook County's (the "Forest Preserves") Next Century Conservation Plan-an ambitious new vision created by civic leaders, conservation advocates, and Forest Preserves' staff that guides the Forest Preserves' efforts to protect and care for nature in the twenty-first century; and
WHEREAS, following adoption of the Next Century Conservation Plan by President Preckwinkle and the Board of Commissioners on February 18, 2014, Emily served as a technical advisor to Forest Preserves' staff responsible for implementing the plan by sharing her knowledge, insight and expertise; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Conservation and Policy Council of the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the "Council") from 2018 to 2022, Emily continued to share her expertise in economic development, accessibility, planning and public policy to guide the Forest Preserves' efforts to operationalize the Next Century Conservation Plan; and
WHEREAS, as co-chair of the Council's Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ("REDI") committee, Emily championed efforts to develop the Forest Preserves' first REDI position paper, "Moving Toward Racial Equity in the Forest Preserves of Cook County," which focuses on strategies to promote racial equity throughout the Forest Preserves, and a second position paper, "Amplifying Diversity and Inclusion," which recommends actions to build on and broaden the Forest Preserves' equity lens to include additional dimensions of diversity and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Emily's strong advocacy for people with disabilities has helped the Forest Preserves become more welcoming and accessible to all.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that President Toni Preckwinkle along with the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners, General Superintendent Arnold ...
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