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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
3learn of the death of
Iola McGowan of Chicago, who passed away 
4on May 24, 2012; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan was born on September 8, 1936; 
6following her graduation from Farragut High School in 1954, she 
7started a family and began to spearhead neighborhood efforts in 
8her area; she subsequently graduated from Northeastern 
9Illinois University; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan had a long and distinguished career 
11in government; she was a former Vice Chairman of the Illinois 
12State Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee; 
13she served as a Chicago Park District Commissioner and served 
14as the 29th Ward Committeeman for 4 years; she also served on 
15the Board of Cook County Department of Corrections; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan was fondly known as the "First Lady 
17of the Westside" for her extensive government work in the 
18Chicagoland area; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan was preceded in death by her husband, 
20Adam "Donald" McGowan; her mother, Ernestine Martin; and her 
21sister, Anna Pearson; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan is survived by her children, Rhonda 
2Stivers (fiance, Matthew), Gregory McGowan (Patricia), and 
3Allison McGowan (fiance, Shawn); her sister, Laverne Schaffer; 
4her grandchildren, Jason Stivers, Ashley McGowan, and Whitney 
5McGowan; and her many nieces, nephews, other family members, 
6and friends; therefore, be it
  
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL 
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
9her family and friends, the passing of Iola McGowan; and be it 
10further
  
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
12presented to the family of Iola McGowan as an expression of our 
13sympathy.