SR1301 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1301 LRB101 21777 LAW 72728 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Frank Harris Jr. of Waukegan, who passed away on April 15, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Frank Harris Jr. was born in Rosedale, Mississippi to Frank Harris Sr. and Hattie Mae Wilson on December 30, 1929; he moved to Waukegan as a teen and stayed with an aunt and cousin; he graduated from Waukegan High School in 1949; he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he completed training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and served in Germany from 1950 to 1953; he married Kate M. Davidson in Rosedale, Mississippi; together, they moved to Waukegan and had four children; and

WHEREAS, Frank Harris Jr. worked at U.S. Steel before being drafted into the U.S. Army; he later worked at the Prudential Insurance Company, the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Mac Realty, and Key Realty; and

WHEREAS, Frank Harris Jr. served as Alderman of the 5th Ward for the City of Waukegan for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, Frank Harris Jr. served as the NAACP president in Lake County from the mid to late 1960s; he forged partnerships with numerous organizations, including the League of Women Voters; he was a passionate advocate for voter education, registration, mobilization, and fair housing in Waukegan; he also helped integrate Waukegan's neighborhoods and public schools; and

WHEREAS, Frank Harris Jr. was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan, where he was a choir member and a Sunday school teacher; he enjoyed singing, playing pool, and lounging in his recliner while watching the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Bulls; he will be remembered as someone who helped others; and

WHEREAS, Frank Harris Jr. was preceded in death by his son, Bruce Andrew Harris, and his sister, Hazel M. Hasty; and

WHEREAS, Frank Harris Jr. is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kate M. Harris; his sons, Ronald Steven Harris and Frank Harris III; his daughter, Karen Kae Harris; his sister, Charles L. Tapley; and his grandchildren, Aisha N. Harris, Zakiya D. Harris, Alanah G. Harris, Madison A. Harris, and Maya S. Harris; 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 Frank Harris 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 Frank Harris Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.