HR0079 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0079 LRB101 08949 MST 54039 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert B. Green, who passed away on January 22, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Robert Green was born to Elzy "Rico" and Vera Green on October 11, 1936; he attended the Metropolitan Community Church and graduated from Tilden Technical High School in 1955; he joined the United States Air Force in April 1955 and achieved the rank of airman first class and received the Good Conduct Medal; following his active duty, he served as a member of the Air Force Reserve until April 1963 when he was honorably discharged; he married Hattie Griffin in June 1966; and

WHEREAS, Robert Green studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, where he honed his skills with the flute; he also studied at Woodrow Wilson Junior College; he was an activist for artists' rights, and, in 1965, he became a charter member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians; he also worked at the Chicago Department of Buildings; and

WHEREAS, Robert Green founded the Chatham Village Symphony Orchestra in 1974, the only black orchestra of its kind in Chicago; he also played in the local United States Post Office Marching Band; he was a member of the Gary Civic Symphony Orchestra for nearly 40 years and organized a woodwind quintet which performed throughout the Chicago area; he was part of a group of musicians that performed at the White House; he looked forward to playing his flute during the holiday season and performing Handel's Messiah at Hartzell United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Robert Green also pursued a career in the printing industry; from 1966 to 1968, he worked as a journeyman multilith operator at J.J. Collins and was a member of the Lithographer and Photoengraver Union; in 1969, he joined the American Banknote Company, where he spent over 20 years as a duplicator until his retirement in 1991; he worked as a pressman for the Chicago Park District from 1992 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, Robert Green enjoyed cooking, darts, and golf; he played golf anytime he could and served as a member of the Red Pepper Lounge Dart Team; he worked out at the South Side YMCA and enjoyed spending time with friends; he enjoyed preparing meals for his family and launched a small catering business; and

WHEREAS, Robert Green was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marilyn; and

WHEREAS, Robert Green is survived by his wife, Hattie; his sister, Ruth Ann Alexander; his sons, Lawrence Green (Beverly) from his first wife, Joyce Price, Julian (Antris) Green, and Justin (Naseem) Green; his grandchildren, Ashley, Ahjah, Gianna, Jailyn, and Julian "Alex" Green; his nephew, Gerald Greene; his nieces, Donna Ellen, Nanette Alexander, and Camille Greene Sturgess; his great-nephews, Robert and Dominique Ellen and Chris Greene; his great-nieces, Cherita, Ailina, and Genelle Greene; his nieces and nephews-in-law, including Joseph, Venita, and Robert A. Griffin Jr.; and a host of family and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert B. Green 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 Robert Green as an expression of our deepest sympathy.