HR0897 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0897 LRB095 16655 KXB 42686 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John W. Davis of Chicago, who passed away on January 3, 2008; and

WHEREAS, John W. Davis was born of the union of Richmond L. Davis and Gertrude Walker on August 13, 1933; he was the sixth of nine children; he was a 1950 graduate of Wynona High School in Birmingham, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduation, Mr. Davis volunteered for the United States Army Airborne two months after the Korean War began; his leadership abilities were quickly realized, and he was selected by the U.S. Army to study in seven separate schools, including medical, radio operator, code decipher, ranger, and airborne school; prior to leaving the military, Mr. Davis was accepted to Fisk University; he was honorably discharged in August 1953 and chose to relocate to Chicago in 1954 to commence his work and college career; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago Technical College in 1960; he earned another bachelor's degree from Chicago Real Estate Institute in 1970; Mr. Davis went on to earn a real estate diploma, real estate license and certification, including designations as a certified property manager, and in property management, brokerage, and administration, mortgage banking, syndication, and real estate appraising; he also completed programs in estate appraisal, and single and multifamily appraisal; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, Mr. Davis was certified as a county assessor for Cook County; additionally, he earned an executive management certificate from Harvard University; in 1972, Mr. Davis was appointed as director of real estate management for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and held this position until 1979; Mr. Davis was then appointed Cook County deputy assessor; in 1984, he was chosen by former Mayor of Chicago Harold Washington to serve as the Chicago Transit Authority's director of real estate, a position he held until his retirement in 1992; in 1995 Cook County Board President John H. Stroger, Jr., named Mr. Davis Cook County real estate director, a position he held for 12 years until his retirement in October 2006; and

WHEREAS, John Davis served as vice president of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council; the Chatham Lions Club; secretary of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; president of Dad's Club at Hirsch High School; and a board member of Shultz-Lewis Children's school in Valparaiso, Indiana; he served on the executive committee for the Chicago Urban League; and he was a commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America; his proudest achievement was serving as an elder for the Stony Island of Church of Christ for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley; his children, Cheryle, Paul, Michael, and Glenn; his siblings, Irma Freeman, Gertrude Bloom, Booker, Doris Carter, Ophelia George, and Mildred Love; he is also survived by seven grandchildren, Glenn II, Mike Jr., Marcus, Brian, Whitney, Tiffany, and Tory and three great-grandchildren, Nakbari, Feranmi, and Marcus II; he was preceded in death by his child, Tracy, and his siblings, Fannell Lawson and Richmond; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of John W. Davis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John W. Davis as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.