Comments from the Mayor

WHEREAS, beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week”, but it was later extended to a month in 1988. It takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community; and

WHEREAS, the term Hispanic or Latino (or the more recent term Latinx) refers to a person’s culture or origin—regardless of race; and

WHEREAS, since the beginning, our country has drawn strength and insights from Hispanic writers, scientists, soldiers, doctors, entrepreneurs, academics, and leaders in labor and government; and  

WHEREAS, notable Hispanic achievements include Richard Cavazos becoming the US Army’s first Hispanic 4-star general in 1982, Ellen Ochoa being the first Hispanic American woman to go into space in 1993, Sonia Sotomayor becoming the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice in 2009, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez election in 2018 to serve in congress thus becoming the youngest woman to ever serve in a congressional seat, and Cesar Chavez’s legendary efforts as a community organizer and advocate for the rights of Latinx workers; and 

WHEREAS, we continue to acknowledge the Hispanic leaders who have stayed in the struggle for equal justice to ensure that everyone in this nation can contribute their talents and have the opportunity to thrive; and

WHEREAS, America’s Hispanic population continues to grow, reaching a record 62.5 million in 2020, or 18.7 percent of the U.S. population, and the culture of our country has been enriched by the rhythms, arts, literature, and creativity of Hispanic people; and 

WHEREAS, the Village of Park Forest salutes its Hispanic Heritage residents who have long served in vital roles on school boards, service clubs and community organizations. At the local government level, Hispanics contributions have been longstanding, and historic, in a multitude of Department roles and in many billets amongst the volunteer Boards and Commissions serving the Village of Park Forest’s mission. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Mayor and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, that September 15 through October 15, 2023, be celebrated as National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon residents to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Activities include the Commission on Human Relations-sponsored Taco Tuesday on Tuesday, September 12, starting at Noon in the lobby of Village Hall, various programs at the Park Forest Library including a movie matinee on September 27^th featuring the films Encanto and Coco, a book review throughout the month and an all ages craft event on October 4^th, and a Hispanic Heritage Month art exhibit titled Espectro/Spectrum at Governors State University’s Visual Arts Gallery, with a reception and artist’s insights on October 12^th. 

Joseph A. Woods, Mayor

Whereas, the Village of Park Forest Board of Trustees and Staff pay respects to the family of Doctor Nathaniel Horn and Congresswoman Robin Kelly; and

Whereas, Nathaniel Horn was born in 1955. The second child in a family with four children, he grew up on the far south side of Chicago; and 

Whereas, Nathaniel attended catholic grammar school and went on to attend Mendel Catholic High School; and 

Whereas, from an early point in his life, Nathaniel had aspirations to be a physician. In working to fulfill this goal, he attended Bradley University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1977. It was at Bradley that he first met his future wife, Robin. He was also inducted as a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Bradley University in 1974; and

Whereas, he then attended Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and graduated in 1982 with a Doctorate of Medicine; and 

Whereas, Dr. Nathaniel Horn completed his medical residency at the University of Chicago Hospital. He began his medical career at Jackson Park Hospital and then Illinois Masonic Hospital. In his career, he specialized in anesthesiology, internal medicine and men’s health; and

Whereas, Dr. Horn opened his own facility, the Horn Clinic, in Matteson in 2014. In his most recent position he served as medical director of Boston Medical Group; and 

Whereas, in his personal life, Nathaniel Horn traveled extensively and would fondly share stories of the sights he had seen and the people he met. As a true South Sider, he was a serious sports fan who ardently supported the Bears, Bulls and the White Sox; and

Whereas, he was a quiet but very effective source of support for his wife and family; and 

Whereas, above all else, Dr. Nathaniel Horn loved spending time with his wife, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, their children, grandchildren and their extended family and friends.  

NOW, THEREFORE, the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, do hereby proclaim to the family of Dr. Nathaniel Horn that we know your loss is deep and your sorrow is great. And while we share in your grief and mourning, we thank you for the service of Nathaniel and hope that the many warm memories of his life and legacy bring you peace. Humbly submitted by the Village of Park Forest and PROCLAIMED on this 23^rd day of August 2023. 

Joseph A. Woods, Mayor

WHEREAS, the Village of Park Forest Board of Trustees and Staff pay respects to the family of Doctor Robert A. Jordan; and

Whereas, Robert Jordan was born in Laurel, Mississippi in 1942. After losing a young sister to asthma at the age of 9, he was determined to become a doctor to save the lives of children. When his family moved to Chicago in the mid-1950’s, one of his first jobs was as a helper in the office of a Black physician. Robert was smart and hard-working, but his dream of going to medical school seemed financially beyond reach; and 

Whereas, Robert Jordan attended Hyde Park High School, where he was introduced to Jeanette Bass, who would soon become the love of his life. They were married in July 1962 and enjoyed a wonderful marriage that spanned 61 years; and 

Whereas, Robert and his wife worked for the U.S. Post Office. While doing so, and raising a family, he pursued his education toward admission to medical school. He went on to obtain a degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and then graduated from Rush Medical College in1976; and 

Whereas, in 1979, Dr. Robert Jordan became Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital’s first Black Chief Resident of Pediatrics. He was then the first Black Physician ever named as Chief Resident in the history of the medical school. His mission was to provide families access to comprehensive healthcare. He was trained to meet the unique needs of children through all their developmental stages; and  

Whereas, Dr. Jordan practiced medicine for more than three decades on Chicago’s south side, in Homewood, Olympia Fields, and Chicago Heights. No visit to Dr. Jordan was routine. He spent time with his patients getting to know their medical and life needs. He could be counted on to show up at the hospital day or night; and

Whereas, He was affiliated with multiple hospitals and several different nursing homes. He gave back to medical students, physician assistants and medical assistants by allowing them exposure to his busy offices. Dr. Jordan also gave back to his community in so many meaningful ways. This included establishing the Far South Side Community Health Center, serving as a summer camp physician for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois, and service as a deacon with his church before being installed as an elder; and  

Whereas, in his home life Dr. Jordan was an excellent cook and expert gardener while enjoying golf and recreational travel.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, do hereby proclaim to the family of Dr. Robert Jordan that we know your loss is deep and your sorrow is great. We want you to know that we share in your sorrow. More importantly, we recognize that this loss is Heaven’s Gain. Humbly submitted by the Village of Park Forest and PROCLAIMED on this 15^th day of August 2023. 

Joseph A. Woods, Mayor