SR0838 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0838 LRB097 21963 GRL 70684 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gwendolyn Hayes, who passed away on June 23, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes was born on June 30, 1936, in Summerlee, West Virginia; her parents were Reverend Walter N. Harris and Emma V. (Loving) Harris; she married Henry E. Hayes in June of 1962; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes attended the First Baptist Church of Summerlee, where she accepted Christ at an early age; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes graduated with honors in 1954 from DuBois High School in Mount Hope, West Virginia; after trying to attend college in West Virginia, she decided to relocate to Chicago, where she joined her first cousin, Margaret; after arriving in Chicago, she began to take night courses at DePaul University while working by day; she eventually found work as the first black keypunch machine operator for Reese Finer Foods; and

WHEREAS, After completing her accounting studies at Wright Junior College and Northwestern University, Gwendolyn Hayes and her husband decided to venture into business for themselves; during this time, she opened an accounting office on Chicago's West Side and began to invest in real estate; throughout the years, she owned many businesses, including G & H Hayes Management Service, the Sting-Rey, and the Chateau; she was also the first female CEO of the WVON radio station; and

WHEREAS, After achieving her goals in life, Gwendolyn Hayes decided to focus on her work for the Lord and returned home to West Virginia, where she devoted herself to many activities within her church; she held various titles at the church, including superintendent of the Sunday School, Financial Secretary and Board Trustee, Banquet Committee Chairman, Corresponding Secretary, N.R.V.M. Missionary Clerk, and N.R.V.M. Baptist Association Clerk; she was also the Treasurer at the West Virginia Baptist Credit Union Association at the Hilltop Baptist Center; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes was recognized by various community organizations, newspapers, city officials, and politicians, including former Mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington; she was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Outstanding and Dedicated Community Service Award, the Neighborhood Business Person of the Year, and the Revlon and Black Woman Hall of Fame Foundation 1988 Bethune Tubman Truth Award, among many others; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes was preceded in death by her brother, Walter J. Harris (Babe); and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes is survived by her husband, Henry; her two children, Anita (Anthony) and Brian (Yolanda Renee), her grandchildren, Qiana (Robert Eric), Donte (Willie), Toni, LeNa, Avyance, Brian Jr., and Jayla; her great-grandchildren, Elijah Tyrique, Eric Andrew, TaZaria Aquice, and Zion Amir; her play mother, Leana Phillips; and her many nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends; therefore, be it

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

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