THE ROCK AND ROLL TRIBUTE FOR HIGHLAND PARK MAYOR RAY GERACI

THE ROCK AND ROLL TRIBUTE FOR HIGHLAND PARK MAYOR RAY GERACI
( A "RE-RECOGNITION")

On Saturday August 13 there will be a Rock and Roll Tribute for Highland Park Mayor Ray Geraci by Dr. Mark and the Sutures and the Highland Park Community. This will begin at 7pm in Port Clinton Square, Highland Park and will be free. (Rain location-Elm Place School Auditorium, Highland Park). 
Mayor Ray Geraci, has served two separate terms of Mayor in Highland Park, two terms as City Councilman of Highland Park, founded YEA Highland Park (raising millions of dollars to benefit youth, education, and arts in collaboration with Ravinia Festival), developed Renaissance Place as part of the new Master Plan for Highland Park, and a plethora of other outstanding and significant contributions to the City of Highland Park too many to list.
Dr. Mark Nolan Hill, a Highland Park surgeon and Professor of Surgery, and a long time resident of Highland Park, who is the founder of the popular and well-known rock and roll band Dr. Mark and the Sutures, has known Mayor Geraci personally and professionally for over three decades, and worked on many of Mayor Geraci's activities as well. He felt strongly personally, and on behalf of the community, that Mayor Geraci should be "re-recognized" for his past significant contributions and continued present active involvement in the Highland Park Community. Moreover-he received overwhelming validation of this from the community including the City leaders and representatives. Many City leaders, former Mayors, and local legislators will be attending. In addition, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have been invited as well.
Dr. Mark and the Sutures was formed in 1987 and performs for no remuneration for benefits, fundraisers, community and service organizations. Each year (now in its 29th year) the band performs annually for a Highland Park summer concert and always recognizes outstanding members of the community as well as introducing new persons joining the City in significant positions. The band has opened for such celebrities as Tim McGraw, Randy Travis, and Martina McBride, and has been joined on several occasions by the late Victor Aitay, Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The band received its first Mayoral Proclamation from Mayor Geraci many years ago. Some years following this, Mayor Mike Belsky (who will be speaking at the tribute) presented Dr. Hill and his band with its second Mayoral Proclamation including Keys to the City, and a Named Day in honor of the band. Incidentally, this summer on July 4th, Mayor Terry Renner of Galena, Illinois (where Dr. Hill has had a country home for many years) presented the band with a Mayoral Proclamation including Keys to the City, and a Named Day in honor of the band, as Dr. Mark and the Sutures has performed every 4th of July holiday in Galena for many years.