HR0162

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to  learn of the death of
McClendon 
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Grice, who passed away on October 12, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was born on February 23, 1931 to 
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the late McClendon Grice Sr. and Ruby McIntosh-Grice; and

 
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    WHEREAS, McClendon Grice grew up on the South Side of 
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Chicago, now known as Bronzeville; at the age of 16, he became 
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the man of the house when his father met an untimely death in 
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1947; he attended Douglas Grade School, Wendell Phillips High 
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School, and was a graduate of Wilson Junior College (Kennedy 
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King College); and

 
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    WHEREAS, At the age of 22, McClendon Grice enlisted in the 
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United States Army, where he served as a private in Germany 
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from 1953 to 1955; during his time in the Army, he received 
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training as an x-ray technician; after returning to the United 
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States from active duty, he earned his certification from Cook 
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County Hospital; during his certification process, he met and 
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courted Gwendolyn Scates while working at the United States 
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Postal Service; and

 
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    WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was employed with the Cook County 
 


 






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and University of Chicago hospitals for a number of years; he 
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then switched careers, serving as a Minute Clerk with the 
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United States  Federal Courts for 29 years, where he had the 
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honor of working for several federal judges; upon his 
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retirement in 1991, the Chicago Sun-Times published an article 
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in his honor declaring him "The Titan of Federal Minute 
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Clerks"; and

 
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    WHEREAS, On August 23, 1958, McClendon Grice married 
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Gwendolyn Scates in a beautiful double ring ceremony; their 
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union was blessed with two children, Steven and Karen, a 
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grandson, Andre, and their special son, Stacie D. Scates; and

 
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    WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was an avid traveler who believed 
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in cultural immersion and traveled extensively with his family 
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both in this country and abroad; his travels took him to 20 
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countries in Africa, Europe, North America, and South America; 
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he was a certified scuba diver and held a special affinity for 
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Jamaica and its ample scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea 
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fishing, and exploration opportunities; he also enjoyed 
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reading, playing the trumpet and guitar, and chess, which he 
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shared with his special son, Stacie; and

 
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    WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was preceded in death by his 
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parents and his sister, Joyce; and
 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, McClendon Grice is survived by his loving wife of 
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50 years, Gwen; his beloved children, Steven (Tonya) and Karen; 
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his grandson, Andre; his most loved and special son, Stacie D. 
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Scates; his special son, Derrick; his special daughter, 
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Sinnika; his sisters, Katie his twin  and Betty (Curlee); his 
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brothers-in-law, Lester and Squire; and his many nieces, 
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nephews, cousins, and friends; and
 
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    WHEREAS, McClendon Grice will be remembered by all who knew 
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and loved him as a good father and husband whose modesty and 
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hard work inspired his children and the other men in his 
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neighborhood; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of 
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McClendon Grice; 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 McClendon Grice as an expression of 
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our sympathy.