HR0023 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0023 LRB100 06220 MST 16254 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sue Purrington, who passed away on November 28, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Sue Purrington was born in Athens, Ohio to Reverend and Mrs. Robert Purrington on July 28, 1938; and

WHEREAS, Sue Purrington was a champion of progressive social values; she dedicated her career to advancing racial justice, gender equality, reproductive rights, and supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence; and

WHEREAS, Sue Purrington was passionate about racial equality; she was a member of the "freedom wade-in" group that racially integrated Chicago's Rainbow Beach in the 1960s; she was a tireless advocate for former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and former United States Senator Carol Mosley Braun; and

WHEREAS, Sue Purrington was a defender of reproductive rights; she was an early participant in the Jane Collective, an organization helping provide women access to safe abortions before Roe v. Wade; she went on to become the Chair of the Illinois Pro-Choice Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Sue Purrington was a fierce defender of women's rights; she was brought on to the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) to help fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, and went on to become its Executive Director; she and NOW worked closely with groups like Women Employed, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, and the Chicago Abortion Fund; during her tenure, her group opposed the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the United States Supreme Court and supported the election of the first African American woman, Carol Mosley Braun, to the United States Senate; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Sue Purrington worked on many progressive political campaigns; she spent many years as a trusted aide to fifth ward Alderman Leslie Hairston; and

WHEREAS, Sue Purrington worked tirelessly for her causes, whether it was handing out flyers on street corners, riding on the bus to a march in Washington D.C., or sitting at a table making phone call after phone call to win support for a favorite cause or candidate; and

WHEREAS, Sue Purrington is survived by her sister, Jane Brewster Purrington; her brother, Robert Daniel Purrington; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Sue Purrington; and be it further

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