SR1552 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Edward "Sonny" Brown, who passed away on October 10, 2014; and

WHEREAS, James Brown was born on October 30, 1938 in Helena, Arkansas; his parents were George and Annie Brown; and

WHEREAS, James Brown accepted Christ into his life at an early age under the leadership of Reverend E.E. Franklin at New Light Missionary Baptist Church in Helena, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, James Brown graduated from Eliza Miller High School, where he was an outstanding athlete; he played football and played the trumpet in the school band; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after graduating from high school, James Brown relocated to Chicago; he subsequently attended Malcolm X College and enrolled in a Spanish class, where he was chosen to travel abroad to Morocco and Spain; he also traveled to Hawaii and the Bahamas; he continued to advance his Spanish-speaking skills by attending South Suburban College in South Holland and never missed an opportunity to broaden his language skills with those who he came into contact with; and

WHEREAS, After a stint at the Wilson Bus Company, James Brown went on to work for the Chicago Transit Authority as a bus driver and the University of Illinois as a Spanish translator and Engineer of the Central Supply Department; in 2000, he relocated and was employed by Southern California Transportation System; and

WHEREAS, James Brown enjoyed sports, especially football, and enjoyed watching games whenever they were on television; he was a true Chicago Bears fan and traveled to their training camp several times a year; he was also a wonderful cook and loved to cook a variety of special gourmet dishes; and

WHEREAS, James Brown was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers, Jessie (JC/Bubba) Brown, Vernon Brown, George Brown, and Henry Brown; and 3 sisters, Velma Ewing, Evelyn Jones, and George Ella Hooper; and

WHEREAS, James Brown is survived by a brother, Eddie Lee (Doris) Brown; 5 children, Pierre (Angie) Brown, Rodney Brown, Parveen (Odell) Dubose, Lakeesha Malone-Norwood (Clarence Norwood), and Dallal (Onika) Brown; 12 grandchildren, Jarveen, Joseph, Pierre, Jr., Jennifer, Keantre, Kenyatta, Kyana, Dalencia, Diavionne, Dallal, Jr., Daliyah, and D'Maya; 5 great-grandchildren; his special friends, Gloria Jones and Kateena Butler; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of James Edward Brown; and be it further

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