HR0056 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0056 LRB094 07116 HSS 37599 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Ms. Annie Ruth Rogers on January 20, 2005; and

WHEREAS, She was born on March 18, 1920, to Willie Mae and Wayman Caldwell in Birmingham, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Ruth received her college diploma from Fort Valley College in Georgia and became a math teacher in Fort Gaines, Georgia; after moving to Chicago, she obtained a master's degree from Governors State University in Park Forest; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, Ruth joined the staff of the Community Mental Health Center, a joint venture between the University of Chicago's Department of Psychiatry and The Woodlawn Organization; she worked with the University of Chicago and later Johns Hopkins University on research projects aimed at improving the African American education and mental health experience; and

WHEREAS, Ruth's chosen profession was community service, and she worked for The Woodlawn Organization (TWO) from 1973 to 1996; during her tenure with TWO, she worked in various capacities; she served as a community organizer working with block clubs and community members and leaders protesting for better housing, mental health services, voter's rights, and countless social and economic issues affecting community residents; as Director of TWO's The Woodlawn House, a halfway house for the mentally ill, she helped many mentally ill clients while advocating for increased services for the mentally ill in Chicago; she retired as Vice Chairman of The Board of Directors of TWO in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Rogers led an active spiritual life, and she was a founding member of the Board of Trustees for Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church; and

WHEREAS, She was a trailblazing crusader, advocate, and tireless warrior dedicated to uplifting the human spirit; she was a leader, an educator, and teacher; she had the unique ability to tap into the resources of those whom she believed could make a difference in the lives of others; she was actively involved in church, community, and civic organizations that lifted her spirits and gave her opportunities to continue to help others; she walked among many high ranking dignitaries and leaders in all aspects of life, but she never lost her common touch; her compassion will remain a part of her legacy and her love and spirit will always live in the hearts and minds of those she left behind; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Annie Ruth Rogers has been deeply felt by many, especially her sisters, Mildred Mitchell, Juanita Hargrave (Robert), and Nettie Frances Smith (Lewis); her brothers, John W. Hardy (Eliza) and Bennie Hardy (Joan); and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; she was preceded in death by her sisters, Creola Reed and Marie Taylor; and her brothers, Willie J. Hardy, Judge Hardy, Jimmie Hardy, Jonah Havard Hardy, Alfred Hardy, and Clarence Hardy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Annie Ruth Rogers, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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