Politics & Government
Man Differs With Burr Ridge 'Day Of Egypt' Action
The resident said the village shouldn't single out one ethnic group. A priest, however, said the village's action means a lot.
BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge trustees this week unanimously approved a proclamation for the "Day of Egypt," though a resident argued against singling out one ethnic group.
The action retroactively designated July 23 as the Day of Egypt in Burr Ridge. It marks the 71st anniversary of Egypt's independence from the British.
Burr Ridge has an Egyptian community. The village is the home of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, 15W455 79th St., which holds a Taste of Egypt Festival. Coptic Christians mostly come from Egypt.
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The original resolution declared July 23 as the "National Day of Egypt."
But resident John Syznal, who lives on Drew Avenue, said the village had no power to declare the day for the entire nation.
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Later, the Village Board dropped the word "national."
During public comments, Syznal said the village should not single out one ethnic group for a proclamation.
"They have a right to celebrate their heritage," he said. "But it should not be foisted upon all Burr Ridge residents through a proclamation."
He said the proclamation could be seen as favoritism. Only July 4, he said, should be recognized in a proclamation celebrating independence.
"Many have fought and died to secure our independence and to protect our constitutional freedoms," Szynal said.
The Rev. Theodore Amir Labib of St. Mark said he was fine with removing the word "national" as a matter of semantics.
He said he swore his oath as a U.S. citizen earlier this month.
"I am very proud of my American citizenship and very proud of the U.S. Constitution and history," Labib said. "I do not want to feel that this (proclamation) is belittling the history of this country."
At the same time, he said, "It does mean a lot to us when our history and our presence in this village are understood and our own struggles are understood."
Mayor Gary Grasso said the proclamation would not become an annual item.
"I think we did something for the Ukrainians at the start of the war," he said. "That has not become an annual thing, nor should it."
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