HR0307 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0307 LRB097 11761 KXB 54904 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Rebekkah Ann Ross of Chicago, who passed away on April 19, 2011; and

WHEREAS, She was born in Gary, Indiana, to Dr. David and Mrs. Ruthie Ross; she was the youngest of nine children; she attended Morgan Park Academy from kindergarten through 11th grade and graduated from Chesterton High School with honors; and

WHEREAS, She graduated in 3 years from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana with a B.A. in psychology; she graduated summa cum laude, and was inducted into the elite academic honor society of Phi Beta Kappa; following her graduation from college, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee to study medicine, alongside her best friend and sister, Rachael, at Meharry Medical College, where she also graduated with honors; and

WHEREAS, Upon earning her medical degree and completing her residency, Dr. Rebekkah joined her family's medical practice at The Ross Family Doctors of Tatum in Gary, Indiana, where she practiced medicine alongside her father; and

WHEREAS, Striving for more than academic and professional success, she started a not-for-profit organization with her sister, Rebuilding Families, where she and her family provided services, education, outreach, field-trips, and self-esteem building to young girls; after recognizing that young women in her hometown encountered increased social pressure from their peers and outside negative influences, she created programming to rebuild families and expectations through education, mentoring, and mirrored success; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Rachael introduced Rebekkah to the love of her life, Travis Swoope and on May 6, 2006 they were united in holy matrimony; together, they became faithful members of St. Mark United Methodist Church and became active members of the young couple's ministry; and

WHEREAS, On December 30, 2010, Rebekkah and Travis were blessed with a beautiful baby girl that they lovingly named Amelia, which means a work of the Lord; Dr. Rebekkah Ross is survived by her loving husband, Travis; her beautiful daughter, Amelia Hadley; her parents, Ruthie and David; her sisters, Ruth Ross Edmonds (Kevon), Rachael, and Lynette; her brothers, David III (Sherry), Anthony (Rita), Michael, and Nathaniel; her mother-in-law, Annie "Grandma Swoope"; and a host of aunts, uncles, 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 her family and friends, the passing of Dr. Rebekkah Ross; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Rebekkah Ross as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.