[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING GERALDINE ``JERRE'' MCPARTLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Geraldine ``Jerre'' 
McPartlin for receiving ``The 2008 Sister Huberta McCarthy, R.S.M. 
Woman of Mercy'' award. Mrs. McPartlin is the fifth woman to have the 
honor of receiving the ``Woman of Mercy'' award, and I congratulate her 
on this achievement.
  This award has been presented by Mercy Hospital and Medical Center's 
Women's Board in honor of Mrs. McPartlin's work carrying forth the 
mission of Mercy Hospital throughout her professional and private life.
  In 1852 Mercy Hospital and Medical Center was founded as the State of 
Illinois' first hospital and Chicago's first chartered hospital. For 
the last 155 years, Mercy has helped treat countless Chicagoans from 
all backgrounds, income levels, and educations seeking medical care.
  Jerre, as she is known to her friends and family, was raised on the 
West side of Chicago and educated at Resurrection Grammar School and 
Siena High School by the Sisters of Mercy. She began her career working 
with the local labor movement as a business agent for the Hotel 
Employees and Restaurant Employees Union. This union serves thousands 
of workers in the hospitality and food service industries in the 
Chicagoland area. In 1985 she became the First Vice-President of the 
Chicago Federation of Labor, and in 1995 was named ``Labor Woman of the 
Year'' by the Chicago Federation of Labor.
  Jerre has given her time to a long list of worthwhile charities, 
including Concern Worldwide USA, Misericordia, and Mercy Home for Boys 
and Girls. She has been a member of the Mercy Women's Board for several 
years, as well as Vice President of the Women's Board from 2003-2005.
  Amazingly, she has managed to give so much of her time and energy to 
others while also being devoted to another sizable organization--her 
family. Jerre has 12 children, 23 grandchildren, and 8 great-
grandchildren, and I am as impressed with the size of her family as her 
commitment to service.
  Madam Speaker, because of Jerre McPartlin's tireless commitment to 
our community, she has touched the hearts and lives of thousands of 
Chicagoans. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District 
of Illinois, I thank her for her service to the people of Chicago and 
wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.




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