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SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of the "Queen of Gospel" Dr. Albertina 
4Walker of Chicago, who passed away on October 8, 2010; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, She was born in Chicago in 1929; at the age of 4 
6she began singing in the children's choir at West Point Baptist 
7Church; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, At the age of 22 she formed her own gospel group, 
9Caravans, at the urging of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson; their 
10many songs included: "Sweeping Through the City", "Mary Don't 
11You Weep", and "Lord Keep Me Day By Day";  and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, After a successful career with the Caravans she 
13embarked on a solo career that included the release of songs 
14such as "I've Got A Feeling Everything Will Be Alright", "Jesus 
15Will Fix It", "Please Be Patient With Me", and "I Can Go To God 
16In Prayer"; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Over the course of her life she received many 
18awards, including Stellar Awards, Grammy Awards, and many 
19others; she sang for presidents, world leaders, and others, as 
20well as launching the careers of James Cleveland, Shirley 
21Caesar, Inez Andrews, and many more gospel entertainers; and
  
 
 
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2    WHEREAS, In 1989 she started the Albertina Walker 
3Scholarship Foundation, giving money and support to aspiring 
4musicians, singers, and artists; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Albertina Walker is survived by many nieces and 
6nephews; therefore, be it
  
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
9her family, friends, fans, and the many people she influenced 
10over the years with her music, the passing of Albertina Walker; 
11and be it further
  
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
13presented to the family of Albertina Walker as a symbol of our 
14sincere sympathy.