HR0889 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0889 LRB097 20933 GRL 67988 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Lewis Lucas; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas was born on January 10, 1925; his mother was Marie Lucas; he was raised by his grandparents in Ronceverte, West Virginia; he married Anna Huffman on January 20, 1956; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas completed his primary education at Cherry Rowe and Christopher Payne Elementary Schools in Ronceverte, West Virginia; he subsequently attended Bolling High School in Lewisburg, West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas was drafted into the United States Army on August 6, 1943; he served in Europe and was honorably discharged in 1945; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Robert Lucas came to Chicago, where he received his high school diploma from Wendell Phillips Night School; he then earned his associate's degree from Wilson College before enrolling in Roosevelt College (now Roosevelt University); and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas began his career as a civil rights activist in 1959; he was a founding member of the Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.) and became the Chairman of the Chicago Chapter of C.O.R.E. in 1965; in 1968, he joined the Black Liberation Alliance and became Executive Director of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (K.O.C.O.); he retired from his leadership position in K.O.C.O. in 2000, but continued to regularly attend the organization's meetings; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure at K.O.C.O., Robert Lucas was instrumental in the organization's efforts to keep the Blackstone Rangers gang away from the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago; he is also responsible for numerous initiatives to revitalize the Kenwood neighborhood and the creation of many improvements to the neighborhood, including the KOMED Holman Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas was a member of the Congregational Church of Park Manor, United Church of Christ; he was an ordained deacon, a life member of the church's Justice and Witness Committee, an officer in the Men's Fellowship, an active member of the January Birth Month Circle, and a past Vice Moderator and Moderator of the church; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas enjoyed traveling with his wife; they enjoyed multiple cruises to the Caribbean, and extensively traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several European countries; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas was preceded in death by his beloved stepson, William (Billy) Raymond Porter; his mother; his grandparents; and 13 aunts and uncles; and

WHEREAS, Robert Lucas is survived by his adoring wife, Anna; his son, Lambert; his uncle, Calvin (Buddy) Lucas; his aunt, Daisy Wood; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Robert Lewis Lucas; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Lucas as an expression of our sympathy.