SR0747 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0747 LRB101 12683 MST 61325 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Herschel Lee Garrett Jr., who passed away on May 23, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garrett was born in Jackson, Mississippi on December 13, 1931 to Herschel Sr. and Mary Catherine Garrett; he was baptized in the Episcopal Church and later converted to the Baptist denomination; he attended Maxfield Elementary School in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated from Marshall High School; he served in the United States Army during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garrett was honorably discharged from the Army and graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology; he was initiated into the Alpha Mu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; he graduated from the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville in 1963 and married Shirley Marie Curry; he interned at George W. Hubbard Hospital in Nashville and relocated to the East St. Louis area, where he opened his dental practice; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garrett was involved with numerous organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Boys & Girls Club of America, the East St. Louis Anniversary Club (Past President), the East St. Louis Community Fund Board of Directors (Past President), Gateway East Health, Inc., the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Reach for Dreams Foundation, the Jackie Robinson Khoury League, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Past Polemarch & Life Member), the Metro East Cancer Unit (Past President and Jail & Bail Chairperson), the Midwestern States Dental Society, the Mound City Dental Society, the N.A.A.C.P. (Life Member), the National Dental Association, R.O.M.E.O.S. - Retired Old Men Eating Out, the St. Clair County Board of Health, the St. Louis Globe Democrat's Old Newsboy, Truelight Baptist Church (Jewel and Vice Chairman, Board of Directors), the Royal Vagabonds, the Urban League, and the Y.M.C.A.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garrett received many awards and honors, including the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award, the C. Roger Wilson Achievement and Human Rights Award, the East St. Louis City Council Distinguished Community Service Award, the Frank M. Summers Distinguished Service Award, the Gateway Chapter of Links, Inc. Health Jamboree Award, the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, the Lt. Governor Pat Quinn's Healthy Smiles Hero Award, the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Outstanding Service Award, the North Central Province Distinguished Alumni Award, the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Afro American History Award, the Top Ladies of Distinction Outstanding Service to Youth Award, and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Award of Merit; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garrett was affectionately known as "Doc Garrett"; he continuously stressed the importance of education to everyone and was instrumental in helping many obtain a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garrett was preceded in death by his son, Herschel III; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garrett is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughters, Staci Garrett Oliver and Kathryn Nicole Garrett; his grandchildren, Joseph Anthony, Justin Aaron, and Jordan Alexander Clayborne and Klayton Nicolas Garrett; his son-in-law, James F. Oliver Jr.; his adopted son, Kimball Nicholes; his "Guardian Angels", Leonard Childs, Robert Henson, Kenny Johnson, and John Morgan; and numerous extended family, nephews, nieces, and special 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 Dr. Herschel Lee Garrett Jr. 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 Dr. Garrett as an expression of our deepest sympathy.