SR0407 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0407 LRB101 12420 MST 60510 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Seymour L. Bryson of Carbondale, who passed away on May 5, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson was born in Quincy on September 8, 1937; he earned a bachelor's degree in social work in 1959, a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling in 1961, and a doctorate in education in 1972, all from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC); he attended SIUC on a basketball scholarship and enjoyed a record-setting playing career; he still holds the school's rebounding record; and

WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson retired from SIU as the associate chancellor for diversity in 2008, after four decades of dedicated service to his alma mater; and

WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson was a leader in SIU's efforts towards diversity; he helped bring approximately $50 million in external grants to SIU; he was sought as a consultant and has numerous published works to his credit; he was very active in community service, including serving as president of the Carbondale chapter of the NAACP, member and chair of the Diversifying Faculty Initiative, president of the Jackson County 708 Mental Health Board, and president and member of the board of directors of the Carbondale United Way; and

WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson received numerous awards and honors; he received the Senator Emil Jones Mentoring Award, the Introspect Access Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education, the School of Social Work Alumni Achievement Award, the Black Affairs Council Roby Given Award, the Iota Phi Theta Community Service Award, and the Lindell W. Sturgis Memorial Award; he was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992; he is also an inductee of the Quincy High School and SIU Halls of Fame; he was honored for his humanitarian impact by receiving the 2019 SIU Distinguished Alumni Award; he was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson's family meant more to him than any professional accomplishment; he was known as "Pops" and made sure that his grandchildren had fond memories of visits to Turley and Castle Parks, Dairy Queen on the strip, countless snow cones in the summertime, and movies at AMC; he influenced their love of reading and learning through regular trips to Barnes & Noble; his friends and family often referred to him as the amateur Gordon Parks because of his love of photography, and he was seldom without his camera, capturing all of the precious moments of his children's and grandchildren's lives; and

WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson was preceded in death by his mother, Claudine Jackson; his grandmother, Hettie Nixon; his brother, Edgar Bryson; and his sister, Hettie Knaff; and

WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marjorie Bryson; his son, Todd Bryson; his daughters, Robin Bryson and Keri (Stephen) Burns; his grandchildren, Jordan Bryson, Keric Young, Kendall Young, Adrian Bryson, Francesca Sanchez, Fernando Sanchez, and Isaiah Burns; his sisters, Susie Barnes, Janice Bryson, and Carol (Paul) Henry; his brother, Raymond (Cynthia) Bryson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Seymour L. Bryson 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 Seymour Bryson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.