HR1014 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1014 LRB097 21285 GRL 69002 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Martha Ann Burns; and

WHEREAS, Martha Burns was born in Chicago, on January 22, 1941; her parents were Anna Lou and John Doyle; and

WHEREAS, Martha Burns was raised on the West Side of Chicago in the Robert Brooks Housing Projects; she attended St. Joseph Mission and School; she was baptized at St. Joseph Mission in 1947 and she was confirmed at Holy Family Church in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Martha Burns was employed at an ice-cream cone making factory and worked as a clerk at Spiegel's before beginning a 36-year career with the United States Postal Service; she began her career at the USPS as a temp during Christmas time; when her outstanding job performance was duly noted by her supervisor, she began working at the post office full-time; and

WHEREAS, Martha Burns enjoyed reading, the arts, poetry, plays, museums, the opera, historic places, artifacts, dancing, listening to music, and sports of all kinds, especially bowling, basketball, and tennis; she also won many tournaments in the semi-pro bowling circuit during the 1970s and 1980s and was named the Sun-Times Semi-Pro Bowler of the Year twice; and

WHEREAS, Martha Burns was a member of numerous organizations that promoted helping disenfranchised persons, especially those with children; she was also a staunch believer in supporting black owned businesses; and

WHEREAS, Martha Burns was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wallace (BeBe) Burns; and her brothers, Ronald and Donald; and

WHEREAS, Martha Burns is survived by her children, Paul (Lisa) Sidney, Steven (Veronica) Sidney, Marcella Wuertenberger, and Angela and Sharron Brandon; her grandchildren, Nolen (Aisha) Davis, Kelsey, Maxwell, Andrew, Hallie Sidney, Ronel (Vanessa) Correia, Steven II and Octavia Sidney, Elona Rios, Darrell Prouty, George Galloway, and Savion Johnson; her 12 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Leona Doyle, Lucius (Vernia) Doyle, and Kenneth (Merle) Doyle; her sisters by proxy, Joanne Jacobson, Annette (Roy) Shabazz, and Marion Woodberry; her brothers by proxy, Jerome Gray and John and Perry King; her sisters-in-law, Arme Doyle and Lenora Doyle; her brother-in-law, George (Joan) Floyd; her 'son cross the street', Eugene McCoy; and her many nephews, nieces, other relatives, friends, and acquaintances; 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 her family and friends, the passing of Martha Ann Burns; and be it further

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