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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Vergil
4Kenneth Brown, Jr. of Chicago, who passed away on August 20,
52011; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Mr. Brown, also known as V.K. or Ken, was born on
7November 7, 1927 in Chicago, the son of V.K. and Floy Brown;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Until he found his life's calling, he had many
10great experiences, spending time as a taxi driver, in the
11United States Navy, and in the meat industry; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Mr. Brown ultimately found his passion for
13physics, teaching the subject for more than 25 years on
14Chicago's South Side at Bogan High School, Morgan Park High
15School, South Shore High School, and Lindblom Math and Science
16Academy (formerly known as Lindblom Technical High School),
17making the subject interesting for his students, inspiring
18them, and urging them to find their own enjoyment in the
19subject by saying "take physics, you'll feel better"; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Mr. Brown worked to make the world a better place
21by getting involved in civic issues and fighting for the rights

 

 

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1of his fellow educators and students of all ages; he helped to
2develop Chicago's magnet school system, served as the Chair of
3the Chicago Teachers Union Political Action Committee, and was
4a long-time editor for the Retired Teachers Association of
5Chicago; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Mr. Brown will be most remembered for his kind
7heart and wonderful sense of humor; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Vergil Kenneth Brown, Jr. is survived by his wife
9of 37 years, Elizabeth (Betty); his sons, Gil (Jane Park) and
10Steve (Takako Kato); his brother, Jim; his sister, Margaret;
11his grandchildren, Lindsay, Nina, and Ann; his sons' mother,
12Charlotte Shivvers; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews;
13therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
17Vergil Kenneth Brown, Jr.; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Vergil Kenneth Brown, Jr. as a
20symbol of our sincere sympathy.