TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
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Dr. Finney's life and legacy have left his fingerprints on the throttle of change in our city, state, and nation, extending from his father, Leon Finney Sr. — an amazing African American businessman and founder of Leon's Barbecue — to Saul Alinsky, to Bishop Arthur M. Frazier, to Congressman Ralph H. Metcalfe Jr., to Reverend Jessie L. Jackson Sr., to Mayor Harold Washington, all the way to former President Barack Obama, and in all points and times in between. Dr. Finney was an organizer's organizer, who was on the frontline of change throughout the land. He was my close confidant, colleague, and confederate..."
Finney joined the Fraternity as a 1993 initiate of the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter and was a trusted benefactor and supporter of the philanthropic initia- tives for the Edward G. Irvin Foundation, a 501(c)3. Finney authored several publications on economic and social development in cities, including Urban Disinvestment: A Counter Strategy, for the U.S. Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Develop- ment, Neighborhood Economic Devel- opment-Myth or Fact, and TWO Model Cities Plan. Brother Leon D. Finney, Jr. is survived by daughter Kristin Finney-Cooke and son-in-law Dr. Gerald Cooke; and three grandchildren.
— U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush
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