HR0534LRB102 21166 LAW 30182 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to recognize the life of Constance Renick
4Lane on the occasion of what would have been her 100th
5birthday; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Constance Lane was born to James Alexander and
7Nozella (Oda) Carmichael in Rockford on November 9, 1921; she
8graduated from Rockford Central High School at age 16; she
9earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from West Virginia
10State College in 1943 when it was uncommon for a Black woman to
11attend college; she later obtained her Master of Arts from
12Northwestern University; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Constance Lane became the first African American
14teacher in Rockford Public Schools in 1954; she became the
15first African American principal in Rockford Public Schools in
161966; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Constance Lane dedicated more than 30 years to
18enhancing the education of students in Rockford Public
19Schools, reaching the level of superintendent of elementary
20education; in addition, she taught mathematics at Rockford
21College for 16 years; and
 

 

 

HR0534- 2 -LRB102 21166 LAW 30182 r

1    WHEREAS, Constance Lane was active within her community
2and was a member of several boards, including the Rockford
3Public Library and the YWCA; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Constance Lane was a pioneer in Rockford's
5education system; her passion, dedication, and unwavering
6persistence broke barriers and inspired generations of young
7learners; she passed away on September 27, 2000 and November
89, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of her birth; therefore,
9be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
11HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
12we recognize the life of Constance Renick Lane and what would
13have been her 100th birthday; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the family of Constance Lane and the Constance
16Lane Elementary School as an expression of our deepest
17sympathy.