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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living 
4survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, at the age of 111; and
 
5    WHEREAS, On May 31, 1921, a white mob laid waste to Tulsa, 
6Oklahoma's Greenwood neighborhood, a thriving Black-owned 
7business district, destroying approximately 35 blocks within 
816 hours and arresting thousands of Black residents, while 
9robbing, beating, and killing others; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Matters were exacerbated by insurance companies 
11that denied many claims for what today would be tens of 
12millions of dollars in property damage, including the 
13destruction of two Black hospitals and 1,256 residences; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Viola Fletcher and other living survivors pursued 
15a lawsuit against the city of Tulsa and other related 
16departments, alleging they were complicit in the 1921 massacre 
17and that its effects were still being felt today; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Viola Fletcher was interviewed numerous times 
19about her experiences and co-authored a memoir with her 
20grandson, Don't Let Them Bury My Story, in 2023, representing 
21a history she and family believed the country was eager to 
 
 
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1forget; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Viola Fletcher was affectionately known as 
3"Mother Fletcher" and loved life and people; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of 
6Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa 
7Race Massacre, at the age of 111; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
9presented to the family of Viola Fletcher as a symbol of our 
10respect and esteem.