SR0762 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0762 LRB093 24294 HSS 54568 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Samuel A. Patch, a longtime aide and strategist to former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, on Wednesday, January 5, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Samuel A. Patch was born in Chicago on September 24, 1933, the second youngest of nine children, and remained a life-long resident of the city to which he made such significant contribution; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patch graduated from Englewood High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Kentucky State University; and

WHEREAS, He lived in Chicago's 3rd Ward for most of his life and made a tremendous imprint there; he helped to develop many of the innovative, creative programs of former Alderman Ralph Metcalfe that sought to improve the quality of life for young people; and

WHEREAS, He served his country as a member of the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, He was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patch was both a dedicated teacher in the Chicago Public School System and played semi-professional football for the Chicago Crusaders; and

WHEREAS, Samuel A. Patch was an astute businessman and entrepreneur, acting as Manager of the Black Trey, owner of a Northside nightclub, owner of International Trade Projects, and owner/operator of Balton Corp., a successful national wholesale distribution business that specializes in paper and janitorial products and restaurant supplies; despite his full schedule, family was his top priority; and

WHEREAS, He was the loving father of Shari Wilson, grandfather of four, affectionate brother of eight siblings with four surviving siblings, and was uncle, mentor, and cherished friend to many; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patch believed in and contributed to the intellectual and political growth of the City's youth via membership in the Illinois High School Association, Directorship of the Third Ward Christmas Baskets and Family Christmas parties for over 4,500 children, and in executive officer positions with the Study Program for Elementary Students, Cook County Young Democrats, and the District 13 Educational Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, He made innumerable contributions to the city and his community via service as Assistant Director of Model Cities-Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunities, as Chair of Model Cities Near South Area Planning Council, as Director of the Decisive Aspirational Development Program, as a member of the Citizens Review Committee for Grants from the State Department of Mental Health, as Vice President of the City-wide Citizen Advisory Board on Mental Health, as a member of the Advisory Board Firman United Christian Community Services, as Co-Chair of the Harold Washington Stamp Committee, and as Founding Member of the Human Resources Development Institute (HRDI); and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patch stood with courage and determination in the movement for political empowerment of his community, serving as Founder of the National Black Political Convention, Chairman of the Illinois Black Political Assembly, Instructor in political education classes for Chicago Black United Communities (CBUC) and the Charles A. Hayes Center, as a Board Member for the National Black Political Coordinating Committee, a member of the Task Force for Black Political Empowerment, and a member of the Harold Washington Institute for Research and Political Studies; and

WHEREAS, He was close friend, confidant, and advisor on political strategy to the City's first African American Mayor, Harold Washington, serving the Mayor prior to and during his mayoralty and continuing thereafter to preserve Mayor Washington's ideals and legacy by acting as District Administrator in the historic First Congressional District, as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and as a member of the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Archives and Collections Committee and the Harold Washington Think Tank; and

WHEREAS Mr. Patch stood for fairness in government and in the electoral process, spearheading successful efforts for the adoption of a reapportionment map to ensure electoral representation and the retention of three Majority-Black Congressional Districts, an effort that earned him the sobriquet "Mr. Superb" by the Chicago Sun-Times, and serving as a Delegate to the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention; and

WHEREAS, He was an avid Bears fan; described as a serious, quiet man, he showed a different side in the football stadium; it is his quiet, behind-the-scenes actions that will be missed most, especially by the city's African-American community, which has lost a political giant; he was involved in most, if not all, of the political movements of the South Side for the past 50 years; and

WHEREAS, He leaves a legacy of excellence, intellect, dedication, and courage to the many young people whom he befriended, mentored, and urged to follow him in leading lives of progressive political, social, and community activism; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Samuel A. Patch, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 Mr. Patch as an expression of our sincere condolences.