Obama lauds Daley for transforming Chicago

CHICAGO, April 27 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday praised outgoing Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for doing an "extraordinary job" during his 22-year tenure.

Daley retires from office May 16 after serving as mayor since 1989. Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was elected in February to replace him.

"You have done an extraordinary job and this city has been transformed because of your leadership," Obama told Daley following a taping of the "Oprah" Winfrey show.

Daley sat in the front row for the taping, which will be aired Monday. The president presented him with a framed map of Chicago harking back to 1834 from the National Archives and Records Administration. The frame bears the legend: "Mayor Richard Daley -- Thank you for making a great American city and a great world city."

Obama said he doubts Daley will go quietly into retirement since he's still generating ideas for improving the city, including ways of getting rid of rats, encouraging people to raise bees and getting bicycles for children.

"I'm skeptical he's going to take a lot of time off," Obama said.

The president also had a couple of quips to deliver. He thanked Daley "for training Bill properly" -- Daley's brother Bill is Obama's current chief of staff -- and told him to "make sure if Rahm starts messing up that you give him some tips."