HR0572 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Julian O. Rucker, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, In the mid-1970s in Chicago, Julian Rucker, Sr., known to many by "Rucker", wanted to make a difference in his community; he established Cook County Basketball League, which flourished in the 1980s with young future talents such as the Cummings brothers, Tracy Dildy (King High School), Melvin Nunn (Simeon High School), Jeff Duncan (DuSable High School), and many others; the program was designed to give "at-risk youth" a positive alternative; in 1981, the program implemented 2 major sponsors, WMAQ Channel 5 and Little Bucky; by 1982, there were an estimated 500 kids on the South and West Sides actively playing in CCBL tournaments; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Julian Rucker, Sr. began a career in real-estate by purchasing a 37-unit building, a 57-unit building, a 12-unit building, and a 6-unit flat; in total, he owned and managed over 90 apartments, which were managed by himself and his 3 sons, Julian Jr., Aaron, and Warren Rucker; and

WHEREAS, In April of 2011, Julian Rucker, Sr. received an award for courage from the City of Chicago for saving a woman from a knife-wielding man; the man was later convicted of attempted murder; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Julian O. Rucker, Sr.; and be it further

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