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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Merlin Kennedy; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Merlin Kennedy was a civil rights
activist, a 
5community leader, and a past president of the 
6Bloomington/Normal branch of the NAACP; he  was
extremely 
7passionate about the success of the local branch of the NAACP; 
8and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Merlin Kennedy was best known for his efforts 
10related to the Fair Housing Act in Bloomington-Normal; he 
11worked tirelessly to
assist the disenfranchised, ostracized, 
12and the down-trodden; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Merlin Kennedy was also known for appearing in a 
14Santa Claus suit during a city council meeting, protesting the 
15"One
Santa Rule"; he was adamant about having a Black Santa in 
16his community and appeared in Jet magazine
for his resistance 
17to racism and discrimination; and
  
 
  
18    WHEREAS, Merlin Kennedy was an icon and a great supporter 
19of the
NAACP; he kept the NAACP relevant and engaged with the 
20community, which propelled the NAACP to thrive in the

21Bloomington-Normal community; therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
SR0740- 2 -LRB101 15017 MST 64056 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
3Merlin Kennedy and extend our sincere condolences to his 
4family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
5further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to  the family of  Merlin Kennedy as an expression of 
8our deepest sympathy.