MAYOR DALEY DRAWS
RECORD CBC AUDIENCE!

Chicago Building Congress welcomed The Honorable Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, to its November 14th monthly Membership Meeting Luncheon. Over 400 Building Industry Professionals packed the Palmer House Grand Ballroom and spilled into the adjoining State Ballroom to hear the Mayor present his “Vision for Chicago.” His presentation made the occasion one of CBC's most successful events of all time… a truly memorable moment in the long and distinguished history of CBC.

The Mayor began by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a “Strong Core” necessary to secure a promising future for the city of Chicago. Noting that when he first became mayor back in 1989, the City faced many challenges, such as abandoned cars, derelict buildings, and a troubled public school system that sent many families to the suburbs in search of a better education for their children.

Mayor Daley with ACE Tech Students

Following his presentation, Mayor Daley met with students from ACE Tech High School, and their Executive Director, Geri Harston and school counselor, Raymond Russo.

Mayor Daley and Jim McShane

Recognizing a quality education as a direct means to a brighter future, Mayor Daley then made improving the quality of Chicago Public Schools the City's top priority. Ace Tech High School, a charter school whose mission is preparing students for careers in the construction trades, was cited by the Mayor as one of Chicago's success stories.

His recurring theme was emphasizing the importance of Chicago becoming a “Global City”. Toward that end, Mayor Daley asserted the O'Hare Redevelopment Project was all-important in maintaining Chicago as a hub for international travel. Stressing that a good public transportation system was key to becoming a Global City, he noted that Chicago must build effective north-south throughways in and around the City. Lastly, hosting the 2016 Olympics was enthusiastically viewed by the Mayor as an opportunity to draw upon the real creativity of the people of Chicago to recreate their City, showcasing Chicago's wonderful attributes as a Global City.

View the Mayor Daley Luncheon Photo Gallery

James A. McShane - A Word from the President...

What a year we're enjoying at the CBC! Last month's CBC Membership Meeting at the Palmer House drew 440 reservations for the Mayor Daley “Vision For Chicago” program, setting a recent record for luncheon attendance and spurring our efforts to draw new members into CBC.

On behalf of all members and guests of the CBC, I would like to thank Mayor Daley for agreeing to be our Keynote Speaker at the recent meeting. On November 14th, we were fortunate enough to enjoy his early arrival, his participation through our luncheon, and the generous time he alloted for remarks and commentary on the vision and outlook for the City of Chicago. Many CBC members are among his supporters since we share the common goal of building Chicago into even a greater place to live and work.

I am pleased to report that the official 2005-2006 Audit and recent financial reports indicate that CBC is in strong financial condition, bolstered recently by an influx of Platinum, Gold, and Silver Sponsors participating in our new program. Many thanks to Travelers, LaSalle Bank, 5/3 Bank, Cotter Consulting, Duane Morris, and Ryan Companies for responding to our sponsorship initiatives this Fall. In fact, I liked the idea so much that The McShane Companies also

became a CBC Sponsor! Just in case you weren't aware of this program, we have enclosed an information sheet with this issue of The Edifice…along with a Merit Awards “Call for Entries” and your invitation to our January 24th meeting.

Please try to join us for Carl Tannenbaum's “Economic Forecast” at our January 24, 2007, CBC luncheon at the Union League Club. Many were taking notes at last year's meeting leading to issues that may pose challenging and interesting questions for 2007. On February 21st, we'll welcome Jeanne Gang with a presentation on the exciting new Aqua building project. Our March program is still in the planning stages and something new will be on tap in April - the CBC Tabletop Tradeshow. This is a program that we haven't tried in years and it will be a fun, productive way for CBC members to network and display the services and capabilities they offer within the building and construction industry. The Merit Awards dinner will follow in May, then the CBC Golf Outing will end our year in June (we're hoping for a dry one this time around).

As we enter the Holiday Season, let me close by wishing you all the best in your personal and business lives now and in the New Year ahead.

COMING UP for 2007 at CBC…

JANUARY 24th
11:30 AM
UNION LEAGUE CLUB
65 West Jackson, Chicago
CARL TANNENBAUM
Chief Economist,
LaSalle Bank Corporation

Aging Gracefully:
An Economic Outlook for 2007

FEBRUARY 21st 11:30 AM
UNION LEAGUE CLUB
65 West Jackson, Chicago
JEANNE GANG,
Studio Gang Architects

THE AQUA BUILDING

MAY 16th

5:00 P.M.
UNION LEAGUE CLUB
65 West Jackson, Chicago

2007 MERIT
AWARDS NIGHT

Mark Your Calendar Now…

2007 CBC GOLF CLASSIC!

Bloomindale Golf Club

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

CBC returns to lovely Bloomingdale Golf Club on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. It’s never too early to set aside next year’s important dates, including the popular CBC Golf Classic. Once again for 2007, we will offer ample sponsorship opportunities and great prizes in many categories…plus a guaranteed good time for all!

October 18, 2006
Union League Club
Chicago, IL

CLYDE N. BAKER, JR.
RECEIVES 2006
CBC AWARD OF HONOR

John Lahey, Chairman of the Chicago Building Congress Award of Honor Committee, presented the 2006 Award of Honor to Clyde Baker.

Every year, the Chicago Building Congress recognizes one individual for his or her significant contributions to the Chicago Building Industry with the Award of Honor. This year, Clyde N. Baker, Jr., Senior Vice President and Senior Principal Engineer of STS Consultants was selected to receive the prestigious award.

The 2006 Award of Honor Committee was once again chaired by John Lahey, President of Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates. John and his committee had the extremely difficult decision of selecting a single winner from a field of distinguished industry leaders.

Touching and humorous tributes were delivered by long-time friend and colleague, and the 2000 Award of Honor recipient, Eli Cohen, Senior Principal of

Thornton Tomasetti Engineers, Stan Korista, Directorof Structural Engineering with Skidmore Owings & Merrill, LLP, and Edward Swierz, Vice President, Thornton Tomasetti Engineers.

Over the course of a distinguished 50-year career, Clyde Baker has served as the geotechnical engineer on most of the high-rise construction built in Chicago, including the three tallest buildings ever built here (the Sears Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the AON Center).

Clyde’s motto for both his professional and personal life is simply to enjoy each day and accept every challenge - for each day offers new opportunities and if one faces opportunities with the right attitude, then every day can be a good day. This philosophy thoroughly explains how his enthusiasm for engineering shines through every project upon which he has worked, as well as his joy in helping others.

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