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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to recognize Emma L. Wilson-King
4Foundation recent honorees - the late Mayor of East St. Louis
5James E. Williams Sr. and his wife Lillian Croom Williams; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Emma L. Wilson-King Foundation was
7established in 2009 as a civic and educational foundation
8dedicated to the enhancement of the neighborhoods and community
9of East St. Louis; the foundation is a non-profit organization
10and was created to improve key elements of East St. Louis such
11as public parks, gardens, buildings, neighborhood
12organizations, and educational enhancement of both young and
13old through schools and community center; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The Emma L Wilson-King Foundation is part of a
15living legacy in memory of Mrs. Emma L Wilson-King, which is
16formed out of her strong yet simple sense of caring and giving
17regardless of personal wealth; she fostered relationships with
18those both young and old and instilled in them a sense of
19compassion to help others; and
 
20    WHEREAS, James E. Williams Sr. became the first
21African-American mayor of East St. Louis in 1971; he later
22served as president of School Board District 189; during his

 

 

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1tenure as mayor and school board president, he always sought to
2be accessible to those he was elected to serve; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Lillian Croom Williams was an educator and
4community organizer who advocated for the disenfranchised
5citizens in her community; she worked with students to help
6them achieve their goals and continue to pursue a higher
7education; she also led the fight for fair wages for police,
8firemen, and teachers; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Honorees are those whose actions personify the
10best in public service and education; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13we recognize the Emma L. Wilson-King Foundation honorees, the
14late James E. Williams Sr. and Lillian Croom Williams; and be
15it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to honoree Lillian Croom Williams.