SR0522

LRB096 15698 GRL 30934 r





  
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SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
Melvin Powell, Sr., who passed away on 
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November 5, 2009; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. was born on October 27, 1931, 
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in Belzoni-Isola, Mississippi; his parents were Bernice Powell 
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and Will Nunn Jr.; he married Dian Mitchell on April 7, 1962; 
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and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. and his mother moved to Chicago 
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when he was 4 years old; he attended Chicago Public Schools and 
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graduated from Farragut High School; he then received his 
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associate's degree in criminal justice from Wright Junior 
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College; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. was employed with the Arlington 
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Hotel, a railroad, and the United States Post Office before 
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joining the Chicago Police Department; he then served as a 
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policeman for 33 years, reaching the rank of Sergeant; he 
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retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2000; during his 
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illustrious career, he received over 200 Honorable Mentions and 
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was the recipient of the prestigious Cathy Osterman Award; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. was an active member in his 
 


 






SR0522
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LRB096 15698 GRL 30934 r




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community; he served as an interim alderman for Chicago's 9th 
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Ward and was the treasurer of the Roseland Little League 
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organization; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. accepted Christ at an early 
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age; he attended Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church in 
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Belzoni, Mississippi; in Chicago, he attended Commonwealth 
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Community Church and served as a loyal steward and deacon at 
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New Life Christian Ministries of Greater Chicago for the past 
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17 years; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. is survived by his loving wife, 
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Dian; his son, Melvin Jr.; his grandchildren, Ashley Dian and 
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Gabrielle Dian; and his great-grandchild, Taylor Diahn Sharon 
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Hunter; therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of Melvin Powell, Sr.; and 
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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 Melvin Powell, Sr. as an expression 
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of our sympathy.