HR0835

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the 
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State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Evans 
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Royce Miller on April 17, 2004; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was born on May 5, 1932, in Bowling 
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Green, Kentucky, to Alice Hines Miller and Minor Townsend; he 
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graduated from State Street High School in Bowling Green, 
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Kentucky, in 1950; he played basketball and pool during school 
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and enjoyed listening to the blues; he also developed an 
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interest in politics after working in a Kentucky election; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Miller graduated from Eulon Barber College in 
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1951 and enlisted in the United States Air Force; he valiantly 
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served his country in the Korean War as an Airman First Class, 
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until he was honorably discharged in 1955; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He married Thelma Jo Waller on March 23, 1957; the 
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couple moved to Chicago shortly after they were married; the 
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family later moved to Markham in 1962, where he joined Christ 
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Temple Community Baptist Church and began employment with the 
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City of Markham in the Public Works Department; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was active in numerous civic and civil 
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rights organizations, including the Cub and Boy Scouts, Little 
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League baseball, Markham Park District, Operation PUSH 
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(formerly Operation Breadbasket), NAACP South Suburban Branch, 
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National Urban League, School District 152 PTA, American Legion 
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Post 828, and many others; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Because Mr. Miller was active in his community and 
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believed he could make a difference, he ran for political 
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office and was elected Alderman of Ward 1 in 1971 and 1975; in 
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1973, he became the president of the Markham Roller Rink, Inc., 
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a position he held until he departed this life; his business 
 


 






HR0835
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LRB093 21906 HSS 49984 r




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has served as "the place" for recreation in metropolitan 
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Chicago; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In April of 1985, Mr. Miller was elected mayor of 
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the City of Markham; he was subsequently re-elected in 1989, 
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1993, and 1997; under his leadership, Markham grew and 
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prospered; he worked tirelessly to make Markham a great city; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, The passing of Evans Royce Miller has been deeply 
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felt by many, especially his wife, Thelma; his son, Steven R. 
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(Stephanie J.) Miller; his daughter, Sheila A. (Steve) Baker; 
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his grandchildren, Stacie D. Miller, Simone E. Miller, Cameron 
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J. Ellison, and Kellie N. Baker; his twin sister, Eva J. (Jack) 
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Withrow; his brothers, Otha D. (Virginia) Miller, Percy (Inez) 
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Miller, and Cecil (Maude) Miller; his sisters-in-law, Sarah 
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Waller, Jean (Albert) Waller, and Johnnie Mae (James) Waller; 
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and his many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends; therefore, 
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be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn the passing of Evans Royce Miller, and we extend our 
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deepest sympathy to his friends, family, and all who knew and 
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loved him; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Evans Royce Miller as an expression 
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of our sincere condolences.