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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of  Thornal "T" Gilbert Washington; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Thornal Washington was born on May 28, 1924 in 
5Texarkana, Texas; his parents were Jessie and Ella Washington; 
6and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Thornal Washington was a graduate of Dunbar High 
8School in Texarkana, Texas and earned his bachelor's degree 
9from Governors State University; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Thornal Washington united with the Calvary 
11Baptist Church in Chicago Heights under the leadership of the 
12late pastor J. Gentry Horace; he was a member and Chairman of 
13the church's Trustee Board for 35 years; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Thornal Washington was employed by the State of 
15Illinois for 50 years; he organized the Chicago Heights 
16Community Center at the request of Governor Jim Thompson; in 
171960, he organized and established the Chicago Heights 
18Community Youth Committee; from 1968 to 1973, he served as a 
19community service worker for the Department of Corrections 
20Juvenile Division; in 1974, he served as liaison for Bloom, 
21Thornton, and Rich High Schools to address the issues of 
 
 
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1student unrest, drugs, vandalism, and assault; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Thornal Washington was a member of numerous civic 
3organizations, including the Chicago Heights Improvement 
4Association, the advisory board for Girl Scout Troop 621, the 
5Chicago Heights Planning Commission, the Chicago Heights 
6Community Choir, and the South Suburban Law and Order 
7Committee; he also worked with Jesse Owens in sponsoring a 
8program called Junior Sports Jamboree; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Thornal Washington was preceded in death by his 
10parents; 4 brothers, Nathaniel, Joseph, Oscar, and Elmer; and 4 
11sisters, Eva, Gladys, Beatrice, and Opal; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Thornal Washington is survived by his wife, Opal; 
13one daughter, Gail (David) Johnson; one son, Victor; 2 
14grandchildren, Roger Elliott and Victoria (Andre') Piper; 2 
15great-grandchildren, Xavier Piper and Darian Piper; and many 
16nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it
  
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
18ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his 
19family and friends, mourn the passing of Thornal Gilbert 
20Washington; and be it further
  
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 
 
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1presented to the family of Thornal Washington as an expression 
2of our sympathy.