SR0738 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0738 LRB094 20425 HLH 58601 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the passing of Margaret "Peggy" Roach on Thursday, April 13, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach dedicated her adult life the causes of civil and human rights; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach was best known for her co-ministry with Msgr. John Egan but was active in the field of civil rights even before her alliance with Msgr. Egan; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach traveled to Meridian, Mississippi in July of 1964 in support of the Mississippi Summer Project, a trip that many considered dangerous; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach also worked for the Catholic Interracial Council of Chicago and the National Council of Catholic Women; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach helped to organize the 1963 National Council on Religion and Race, a groundbreaking conference that brought Dr. Martin Luther King to Chicago and cemented the formal cooperation of all major faith groups in the fight to end racial prejudice and segregation, and she also helped to organize the National Council for Interracial Justice; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach marched in Selma, Alabama in 1965; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, Ms. Roach began assisting Msgr. John Egan with the Contract Buyers League, a program that helped black homeowners in the Lawndale neighborhood renegotiate highly inflated purchase contracts for their homes; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach and Msgr. Egan spent a decade at Notre Dame University, where they continued their efforts toward social justice through the Catholic Committee on Urban Ministry and the Center for Pastoral and Social Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning to Chicago, Ms. Roach was instrumental in her support of the Industrial Areas Foundation and the founding of the grassroots community group United Power for Action and Justice; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach also worked with DePaul University on many issues affecting the urban poor, including fighting for better regulation of the payday loan industry; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach was the recipient of many awards, including the YWCA Lake County Outstanding Woman of Achievement for Racial Justice; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach was preceded in death by her sister Rosemary Roach; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Roach is survived by one brother, James (Pat) Roach and 2 sisters, Helen and Jane Roach, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Margaret "Peggy" Roach, and we extend our sincere condolences 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 Ms. Roach's family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.