1997 ACP Benefit

Now, for the first time, the ACP dinner is held at the Flossmoor Country Club, as a "Black Tie Optional" event. This year, the recipient of the Gratiam Dei Award is David Hartigan. He is an attorney who, with Ed McGillen, helped ACP with its legitimate exemption from property tax, for its newly-occupied building at State and Taft in South Holland. His achievement is recounted and lauded in a Parable of Victory, proclaimed aloud at the gathering, September 13, 1997. For hermeneutical help in understanding this story, please consult the Preface to a Parable.

Those present include five judges, three priests, two sisters, newly elected State Senator Debbie Halvorson, one law professor, and several Democratic leaders, notably President John Stroger, President of the Board of Cook County. The guest speaker is Warner Saunders, chief newscaster of NBC, Channel 5.

Dan Ryan, Master of Ceremonies for the 1997 ACP Benefit

Dan Ryan, President of Suburban Federal Savings Bank, Master of Ceremonies for the 1997 ACP Benefit.

From the left are Tom Conlon, Kevin Conlon, John H. Stroger, Jr., and Orlando Jones. Tom came in the stead of the Honorable Claudia Conlon. Kevin is head of the Rich Township Democratic Committee. President Stroger is Forest Preserve Commissioner and head of the Cook County Board. This photo is taken on the outside porch at Flossmoor Country Club, during the reception before dinner.

From the left are Lester & Joan Wolf, Steve & Pam Stock, and Kathy Thoren, all of Suburban Federal Savings Bank.

From the left are Loraine Collins, Wendy Loggins, and Eileen Mahoney. Loraine and Eileen are first cousins to Father Gilligan. Right behind Eileen are Lula and Calvin Cook. Wendy is Manager of Information Systems for ACP.

From the left are Carol Robinson, Felice Wyatt, Victoria Hand, and Tim Grossi. Victoria is the president of Washington Memory Gardens, Homewood. Felice is her sister; Tim is her husband.

Click for even more photos, in black and white.

David Hartigan (right) receives the 1997 Gratiam Dei Award from Father Gilligan. His legal work ensured the survival of American Catholic Press.

In 1996, Mr. Hartigan was appointed President of the Catholic Lawyers' Guild. In 1993, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed him Chairman of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. This commission regulated the registration of ethical practice of law of all attorneys practicing in Illinois. He was re-appointed in December, 1994, for an additional three-year term. In June of 1988, he was appointed to be one of seven commissioners on the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

In 1982, the Honorable Frank McGarr, Chief Judge, appointed him to the District Admissions Committee for the Northern District of Illinois.

From 1971 to 1985, he was legislative consultant to the Catholic Conference of Illinois, which coordinated statewide activities for the six Catholic dioceses of Illinois. In this capacity, Mr. Hartigan's work was extensive, dealing with questions concerning schools, charities, hospitals, and cemeteries.

David Hartigan is a graduate of Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and Loyola University Law School, Chicago.

Here are Don & Christina Woo, with Donna Kallemeyn. Note the Channel 5 (NBC) banner on the wall, in the background. This banner is up there because of today's guest speaker, Warner Saunders.

On the porch, from the left, are Linda Koselke with Tony & Susan Romanovich. Tony is a board member of American Catholic Press and was the first to recommend Warner Saunders as a guest speaker for this year's benefit.

From the left are Pat Jackson, Loretta & Tom Powers, and Ken Jackson, all of NBC. In addition to Warner Saunders, guest speaker, there was a table of ten people from NBC, appropriately, table number five.

From the left are Margaret & Honorable Frank McGarr, with Suzanne Ryan, wife of Dan. Mr. McGarr was one of five judges at this benefit.

Among the many friends of David Hartigan, above, from the left, are Honorable Moshe Jacobius & Rita Jacobius, with Audrey & Art Murphy. This view is looking south, during the reception before dinner.