HR1159 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1159 LRB097 21871 GRL 70565 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dezo McGill, who passed away on May 27, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Dezo McGill was born on April 23, 1933, in Oktaha, Oklahoma, to James Reed and Uraha Belle Triggs; and

WHEREAS, Dezo McGill served with distinction as a member of the United States Army and received an honorable discharge on January 31, 1962; and

WHEREAS, Following his service in the Army, Dezo McGill continued his education at Langston University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in biology, and at Wichita State University, where he earned his master's degree; and

WHEREAS, Dezo McGill served as a high school teacher for many years; he was well known for encouraging his students to stretch themselves to strive to achieve their educational goals; and

WHEREAS, Dezo McGill accepted his call to ministry and began his journey as one of God's choice servants; from 1963 to 1967, he served as Assistant to the Pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church; in 1969, he was called to serve as Pastor of the New Zion Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas; in August of 1973, he accepted the call to serve as the Pastor of Main Street Baptist Church in Aurora; as Pastor of Main Street Baptist, he was actively involved in his community, serving locally as Chaplain for the Aurora Police Department and as a member of the Ministerial Alliance; he retired after 32 years of faithful service to Main Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Dezo McGill had a heart for missions and was committed to the continual building of God's Kingdom, at home and abroad; in 1981, he took his first journey to Zimbabwe; through the encouragement and inspiration of the Main Baptist membership, he journeyed to Africa 28 times; in 1983, he founded the Africa Crusade Ministry, Inc., and invited other ministers and lay persons to join the Crusade; during one of the Crusade trips, he determined that the ministry needed to expand to offer more tangible assistance; he subsequently formed the African American Outreach Mission to further their missionary efforts; he reached out to churches and communities throughout the country to collect Bibles, clothing, medical equipment, medicines, computer equipment, school supplies, and other items; and

WHEREAS, Dezo McGill served as Vice President of Ecumenical Affairs of the National Baptist State Convention, Moderator and 2nd Vice Moderator of the Northwood River District Association, 2nd Vice President of the Illinois Missionary Baptist State Convention, President of the Illinois State Congress, Dean of Practical Studies of the National Sunday School and B.T.U. Congress, and leader of the Ministers Lecture Series with the National Congress; he was also ordained as an Honorary Anglican Priest in Harare, Zimbabwe, an honor he cherished deeply; and

WHEREAS, Dezo McGill is survived by his wife of 39 years, Esther C. McGill; his children, James McGill, Gary Polk, Portia (Richard) Prather, Dezo (Donna) McGill, Jr., Brenda Johnson, Ronnie (Jane) McGill, Cathryn McGill, Charles Dixon, and Andriette McGill; his sisters, Dorothy Johnson, Charlene Carter, Gwendolyn Breedlove, and Yvonne Caldwell; his brothers, Alvin Curtis, Leonard Triggs, and Al Triggs; his grandchildren, Brian Polk, Aspen Polk, Darvell Polk, Raymond (Shontel) Griffin, Titus Prather, Antigone (Matt) Rappord, Darrius Johnson, Lindsey Johnson, Joshua McGill, DJ McGill, Riley McGill, Nashae (Adam) Morin, Caleb Dixon, and Tashia Woodridge; his great-grandchildren, Titus L. Prather, Kali McGowan, William Griffin, and Aaliyah Griffin; and his many other relatives, friends, and the entire congregation of his church; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dezo McGill; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dezo McGill as an expression of our sympathy.