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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sam Polk
4of Peoria, who passed away on September 17, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Sam Polk was born in Memphis, Tennessee to
6Charlie and Nellie Jane (Jones) Polk on March 6, 1935 and
7received his early education in the Memphis school system; he
8moved to the Peoria area in the 1940s and attended Greenley
9and, later, Woodruff High School; he was a Boy Scout at Carver
10Center, Troop 38; he was inducted into the U.S. Army on March
1115, 1955 and honorably served his country, including time
12spent in the Army Reserve, until March 15, 1963; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Sam Polk worked and was a supervisor for the
14Peoria Public Works Department for over 45 years, retiring in
152002; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Sam Polk began serving the Peoria community
17through the National Association for the Advancement of
18Colored People (NAACP) local branch; as vice president, he
19advocated for equal employment opportunities for minorities,
20justice, voting rights, and overall basic human rights through
21peaceful boycotts, demonstrations, and organization; he
22volunteered and advocated for equality and had been a lifetime

 

 

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1member of the NAACP since the 1950s; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Sam Polk was a former member of the Henry Brown
3Lodge PHA and member of the Peoria Tri-County Urban League's
4Guild; through the Tri-County Urban League, he supported the
5city's youth and the Scientists, Technologists and Managers
6(TSTM) program; he also supported the Carver Center and
7participated on the committee to reopen the center after its
82011 closure, which resulted in its reopening in 2013; and
 
9    WHEREAS, In his retirement, Sam Polk mentored young men
10and taught them work ethics, goal setting, financial
11management through stipends, decision making, character
12building, community involvement, and skill development through
13apprenticeship opportunities; he enjoyed being a behind the
14scenes supporter of worthy causes, people, and organizations;
15he was always willing to give a hand to those willing to take a
16step; he contributed to many notable organizations, including
17the Heritage Ensemble, St. Martin De Porres Boy Scout Troop,
18local food pantries, Girl Scouts, St. Jude, Susan B. Komen,
19and The Whitney M. Young Jr. annual events; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Sam Polk had an amazing sense of humor; he loved
21jazz music, especially albums by Myles Davis; if there were
22any last words he would want to say, it would have been "GO
23VOTE"; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Sam Polk was preceded in death by his parents;
2his daughter, Sheryl Gulley; his brother, James Polk; his
3grandson, Jonathan; and his nephew, Kevin Polk; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Sam Polk is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jean
5A. Polk; his children, Kenneth Sam Polk Sr. and Celeste
6(Donald) Polk-Coverdell; his grandchildren, Darnell, Kenneth
7Jr. (Tyeisha), Kevin Sr. (Jazmyn), Caleb, and Donavan; his
8great-grandchildren, Skylar, Kailani, Kassadi, Kevin Jr.,
9Kennedi, and Kaydence; his nieces, Jonelle (Daniel) McCloud,
10Rebecca Polk, and Karen (Billy) Raymond; and numerous other
11relatives and many friends; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
13HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we mourn the passing of Sam Polk and extend our sincere
15condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
16him; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18presented to the family of Sam Polk as an expression of our
19deepest sympathy.