SR1368 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1368 LRB102 30036 LAW 42233 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of radio and TV personality Floyd A. Brown of Elgin, who passed away on December 9, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown was born to Faye Lee McFarland-Grayson and Lewis O. Woods in Dallas, Texas on November 5, 1930; he left Texas at an early age, moving to Washington, D.C., where he graduated from high school at the age of 16; he served in the U.S. Army; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown's military service led him to become an engineer at radio station WRMN in Elgin in 1951, and his career included working as program manager and personality for WYNR; he was the first African American to sign with NBC and WMAQ, where he was an announcer and on-air personality; he worked at WGN from 1971 to 1999, during which he worked as a sportscaster and sports anchor on the evening news; with his iconic voice, he hosted The Floyd Brown Show on WGN for more than 29 years, where he featured entertainment, music, interviews, and news/business topics, and his guests included such legendary jazz artists as Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, and Ella Fitzgerald; in addition to his time at WGN, he joined the Chicago Sunday Evening Club in 1985 and hosted WTTW's 30 Good Minutes until he retired in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown contributed his time and talents to the arts and civic life in his local community of Elgin; he was a founding member of the Elgin Human Relations Commission and served as president of the Elgin Housing Commission and marketing director for the Kane County Fair; he was master of ceremonies for WGN's Know Your Heritage, the Bud Billiken Parade, the Gospel Stellar Awards, and Central City Productions; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown received many awards, including the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award from Judson University, the Friend of Education Award from Elgin Community College, and the Trailblazer Award from the Quad City Urban League; he was inducted into WGN Radio's Walk of Fame on March 22, 2016; he was also recognized for his achievements as a civil rights activist and his commitment to supporting the arts; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown, an avid golfer and sports enthusiast, was the first African American to become a member of a private country club in the State of Illinois; he served on the board of the United States Golf Association and the Chicago District Golf Association; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown will be remembered as a legendary trailblazer whose major role and notoriety as a Black man in media paved the way for other people of color to achieve success in broadcasting, while simultaneously bringing joy and entertainment to homes across the country; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Brown is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Brown; his son, Judge Floyd Keith Brown; his daughter, Diane Brown; his grandchildren, Marcus (Amanda) Brown, Nicole Brown, Jordan Douglas, and Taylor Douglas; and his great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Caleb, and Cassidy Brown; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Floyd A. Brown and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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