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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Alice Palmer, who passed away on May 
425, 2023 at the age of 83; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Alice Palmer was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on 
6June 20, 1939; she attended Indiana University as an 
7undergraduate before moving to Chicago, where she received her 
8master's degree from Roosevelt University and a doctorate from 
9Northwestern University; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Alice Palmer co-authored two books on adult 
11literacy during her time at Northwestern University; she also 
12tutored at Northwestern University's Black House, a longtime 
13hub for Black student life; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Alice Palmer taught at Malcolm X College, where 
15she met her husband, Buzz Palmer; they held the first 
16fundraiser for Harold Washington's mayoral campaign; they also 
17co-founded the Black Press Institute and started an 
18international news digest, the Black Press Review; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Alice Palmer served as a member of the Illinois 
20Senate from 1991 through 1997; she was credited with helping 
21launch President Barack Obama's political career after 
 
 
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1supporting him as the best choice to fill her vacated Senate 
2seat when she ran for Congress; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Alice Palmer helped organize the 1980s 
4anti-apartheid movement in Chicago; during a protest, she and 
5others held an anti-apartheid poster that she later presented 
6to South African President Nelson Mandela; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Alice Palmer enjoyed watching classic movies and 
8BBC mysteries; she also collected antique teddy bears; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Alice Palmer is survived by her son, David 
10Robinson; her daughter, Zella Palmer; her stepdaughter, Lisa 
11Palmer; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; 
12therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
15Alice Palmer and extend our sincere condolences to her family, 
16friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
18presented to the family of Alice Palmer as an expression of our 
19deepest sympathy.