Larry McKeon with Ald. Helen Shiller; McKeon; Greg Harris. Photos by Tracy Baim and Andrew Davis_____
An army of well-wishers filled the lobby at Bridgeview Bank, 4753 N. Broadway, on Nov. 20 to help State Rep. Larry McKeon bid farewell to his career in public service.
Several people took turns talking about McKeon's contributions to the GLBT community as well as to the 13th Congressional District, which he led for the past decade. Mike Bauer called him a 'trailblazer' and 'a class act' who courageously dealt with the slings and arrows of fellow legislators who mocked his sexual orientation and HIV status. Ald. Helen Shiller read a proclamation while Greg Harris, who will replace McKeon in the next legislative session, read a letter from Mayor Richard Daley. Among the others who spoke were SuEllen Long of Bridgeview Bank, Bernice Perkins of the Ruth Shriman House, and Margarite Boyd, president of Truman College.
McKeon, closing the door on 43 years of public service, commented about learning the meaning of integrity ( ' [ a combination of ] telling the truth and keeping your word' ) . He also stressed that he will not be disappearing but will only be 'changing hats,' as he plans to move to Springfield to be, among other things, a lobbyist.
In related news, McKeon has been selected as a recipient of a Pioneer Award for Demonstrated and Exceptional Corporate Leadership and Social Responsibility in the fight against HIV/AIDS as part of the 2006 Red Ribbon Leadership Awards. The awards will take place at a gala ceremony on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.