SR1333 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1333 LRB100 18389 ALS 33598 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ronnie Taylor, affectionately known as "Pastor Ron," of Chicago, who passed away on January 20, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ron was born in Chicago to Leroy and Ruth Brown-Taylor on July 31, 1957; the youngest boy of seven children, he dedicated his life to his faith at the age of 15, while attending Hope Deliverance Tabernacle under the direction of Pastor Jackie Jordan; it was here he also received his first ordination as a minister and met the love of his life, Johnnie Mae Jewett; he graduated from Farragut High School in 1975 and married Johnnie Mae in July 1977; and

WHEREAS, After graduation, Pastor Ron immediately entered the workforce and had positions with the United States Post Office, Wells Manufacturing Co., Sears Roebuck and Co., and RR Donnelly and Sons Printing Co., where he remained for 25 years until he retired in 2003 to dedicate his life to full-time ministry; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Pastor Ron and Sister Taylor joined Truth Triumphant ministry under the leadership of Pastor Gary Brown; because his integrity and humility were noticed, Pastor Ron served on the Board of Trustees; he also served as an Elder, a leader over the Men's Ministries, and a Sunday School teacher; under Pastor Brown's leadership, he was ordained as a pastor and served as the first Associate Pastor of the church; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1997, Pastor Ron invited 17 men and women of faith to discuss developing a ministry to meet the needs of hurting people; he accepted a call to pastor, and this small group became the incorporators of the Disciples for Christ Outreach Ministries (DFC); to enhance his knowledge, he took several courses at Moody Bible Institute; the first service was held in the basement of Pastor Ron's home, and other services were held in the homes of other members; the first public service was held in ministry rental space provided by AFC World Outreach Ministry in August 1998; DFC remained there for three years, until a permanent church building, located in Oak Lawn, was purchased in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ron knew that his calling to ministry was beyond the "four walls" of the church; he knew that he was called to minister to those who were hurting and broken by unjust systems and structural racism, who would probably never walk into a church building; for nine years, he served as the Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors for Target Area Development Corporation; an active board member, he served on various committees and campaigns to eliminate barriers to poverty in communities of color; he also pursued additional educational opportunities; he obtained a certificate of business management from Kellogg School of Management and pursued his bachelor's degree in business from Capella University; he later joined the staff of Target Area Development and served as the Director of Coalitions and Organizing for four years and the Director of Reentry Programs for three years; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, Pastor Ron and close colleagues in the social justice field founded the United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations (UCCRO); he served as an Executive Council Board Member for nine years and played a significant role as a member of the UCCRO Advocacy Team; in 2013, after vacating the position of Executive Director in order to pursue public office, Josina Morita and the Executive Council specifically identified Pastor Ron as a trusted leader who could continue building the work of the coalition; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ron was involved with several organizations, including Communities United, Enlace Chicago, the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), the Kenwood Oakland Community Center (KOCO),the Korean Resource Cultural Center (KRCC), the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, and the West Suburban Action Project (PASO); and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ron gained local and national recognition for his work in the area of social justice; his hard work, commitment, wisdom, and integrity were unmatched; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ron was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Charley Harris; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ron is survived by his wife of 40 years, Johnnie Mae Taylor; his daughter, Rebecca Taylor; his granddaughter, Harmony Taylor-Warrensby; his siblings, Larryne Ghoston (Vance), Phillystine Moore, Larry Taylor (Deborah), Sharon Butler (David), Rochelle Taylor, Lethette Taylor, Charlene Harris; his mother-in-love, Edith Richardson; and his many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ronnie "Pastor Ron" Taylor and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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