SR0321 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0321 LRB097 13360 GRL 57876 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ricky Lee Randolph, who passed away on August 24, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph was born on November 2, 1963, in Chicago; his parents were Sylvester and Fannie Randolph; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph graduated from Mason Elementary and Farragut High School; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph was baptized at an early age by the late Reverend George Clark; in his final months, he began attending worship services at New Life Covenant Church under the leadership of Senior Pastor John F. Hannah; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph worked in the conference center at the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis since 1997; he served as the supervisor of a team of five who worked for Compass Group, a food services company; he was well loved and respected by his co-workers and the lawyers at the firm; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph loved to cook; his passion for food led him to start his own company, Ricky Randolph Catering; he began his business by selling dinners in the community; through word of mouth, Ricky's business grew by leaps and bounds; Ricky cooked for judges, lawyers, dignitaries, the cast and crew of numerous Broadway productions, including The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and The Color Purple, and his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph was well known for his Ricky Randolph & Friends Annual White Party, which brought his community together each summer for one night of Hollywood in an urban milieu; the White Party was Ricky's gift of love to the Lawndale community and he spared no expenses in this display of excellence; the event helped to raise funds to produce the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Kenneth's Annual Back-to-School Block Club Party and offset the costs for purchasing book bags and school supplies for children in the community; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph was preceded in death by his brothers, Sylvester Jr. and James; his sister, Diane; and his parents; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Lee Randolph is survived by his sisters, Barbara (Thomas), Sherain (Maurice), Vickie (Joseph), and Tajuana (William); his brother, Kenneth; his daughter, Shakita Thurman; his uncles, Willie, Chester, Clarence, Aubrey, and George; his nieces, Shunvonner, LaShunda, Sheri, Keneata, Kewana, Tameika, Terinika, Jasmine, and Joy; his nephews, Sylvester III, Thomas, Will, Fontaine, Terry, Willie, Kenard, Joseph, Josh, Kenneth, Keshon, and Marcus; and his many great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews, special siblings, other family members, and special friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Ricky Lee Randolph; and be it further

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