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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Dr. Gregory C. James, who passed away on
4October 20, 2011; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James was born on February 29, 1956,
6in Chicago; he lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Ohio,
7and Massachusetts before returning to Chicago; upon his return,
8he became a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, where he
9was a gifted tenor in the sanctuary choir; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James earned his master's degree in
11education from Southern Illinois University and his Ed.D. from
12Grambling State University in Louisiana; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James served as the assistant vice
14president of student affairs at Oakton Community College in Des
15Plaines; he began his career at Oakton in August of 2005 as the
16college's dean of students; in June of 2009, he was promoted to
17Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Office of Access,
18Equity, and Diversity - the first to hold the position; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James' commitment to social justice
20and anti-bias work made him a leader at Oakton Community
21College and throughout the region; he was regularly called upon

 

 

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1to speak at events and conferences about his work; he also
2served on Oakton's Master Plan Steering Committee and on the
3steering committee of the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns
4in Higher Education; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James was the recipient of numerous
6awards and grants, including the Equity Award from the Illinois
7Community College Trustee Association, the Innovation Award
8from the Illinois Council of Community College Administration,
9the Pan African Connection Grant, the Office of Access, Equity,
10and Diversity Grant, and the Pan African Summit Grant; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James is survived by his life partner,
12David DeCoursey-James; his daughter, Maurionna Minor; his
13father, Rev. Dr. Silas James; his brothers, Lt. Col. Cedric C.
14Minor-ret., Daryl K. Minor, Kevin D. Minor, and Maurice D.
15Minor and their spouses; his many nieces and nephews; and a
16host of extended family and friends; therefore, be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
18ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
19his family and friends, the passing of Dr. Gregory C. James;
20and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
22presented to the family of Dr. Gregory James as an expression

 

 

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1of our sympathy.