HR0104 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0104 LRB102 16171 LAW 21550 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Karen GJ Lewis of Chicago, who passed away on February 8, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis was born in Chicago to Geoffrey Jennings and Martha Gakins on July 20,1953; she attended Kozminski Elementary School and Kenwood High School, until she accepted early admission at Mount Holyoke College; she later transferred to Dartmouth College, where she earned the distinction of being the only African American woman in the class of 1974; she married John W. Lewis; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis was a chemistry teacher in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system, where she taught at both King College Prep High School and Lane Tech High School, for 22 years; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis became a member of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) in 1988, where she served as a member of the House of Delegates, as High School Functional Vice President, and as a member of the Illinois State Certification Board; she was elected president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) on June 11, 2010; she was reelected to a second term in May 2012; she successfully led a nine-day strike against the Chicago Board of Education in 2012, which resulted in a fair and equitable contract for her members and board agreement to implement many of CTU's recommendations to enhance the learning process; under her direction, the CTU published the study entitled The Schools Chicago's Students Deserve, which argued for education reforms within Chicago Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis further served educators nationwide and throughout Illinois; she was the vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, representing more than 1.7 million members; she was elected executive vice president to the more than 100,000 members of the Illinois Federation of Teachers in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis received numerous awards and recognitions for her relentless fight for education equity and for giving Chicago's students the schools they deserve; she received National Board Certification in 2002; she was recently presented with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the National Labor College and her alma mater Mt. Holyoke College; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis worked tirelessly to foster excellence in the teaching and learning experience, to guard against opportunistic self-interest groups who would eradicate public education, to advocate for equal quality education for all students, and to protect the rights of educators throughout the State of Illinois; she gave strength to tens of thousands of Chicago Teachers Union educators who followed her lead and live by her principles to this day; she will be remembered as a true champion and a powerful, prolific advocate for educators, students, their families, and the communities in which they live; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis enjoyed watching foreign films, playing tennis, reading, and traveling; she spoke three languages; she loved opera and show tunes; she will be dearly missed; and

WHEREAS, Karen Lewis was the doting daughter of the late Geoffrey Jennings and Martha Gakins; the beloved wife of John W. Lewis; the loving stepmother of Antionette, Randolph, and Adolph; the proud grandmother of Kariah, Aaron, John, Jade, Jasmine, and Journey; the caring great-grandmother of Angel and Michaela; the dear sister of Keli Jennings; and a friend to many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Karen GJ Lewis and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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