HR0123 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0123 LRB102 16851 LAW 22257 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dianne Patrice Durham of Chicago, who passed away on February 4, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham was born in Gary, Indiana to Ural L. Durham and Calvinita Carter Durham on June 17, 1968; she was known as "Tricey" by those who grew up with her in Gary; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham began her illustrious gymnastics career under the tutelage of Wanda Tomasi-Mohoi in Merrillville, Indiana at the age of four; she trained with notable coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi in Houston, Texas; she won the junior national title in 1981 and 1982; she won the senior national title in 1983, making her the first Black woman to win a USA Gymnastics national championship; she concluded her competitive career in gymnastics in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham continued to work in gymnastics, eventually coaching, judging, and running her own gym, Skyline Gymnastics, in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham was inducted into the USA Gymnastics' Hall of Fame for Region 5, the division of USA Gymnastics that covers parts of the Midwest, in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham committed to her faith at a young age at Trinity MB Church under the leadership of Pastor W.H. Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham was an icon and trailblazer in gymnastics; she will be remembered for opening doors for generations of Black gymnasts who followed after her; her contributions and legacy to the sport of gymnastics will live on; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham was preceded in death by her mother, Calvinita Carter Durham; her maternal grandparents, Calvin and Thelma Carter; her paternal grandparents, Ulysses Durham and Limmie Moore; her aunts, Thelma L. Carter, Georgianna Moore, and Burnedett Durham; and her uncle, Wille Reed Carter; and

WHEREAS, Dianne Durham is survived by her husband, Thomas "Tom" Drahozal; her father, Ural Durham; her sister, Alice Durham Woods; her niece, Allison C. Woods; her nephew, Michael A. Woods II; her brother-in-law, Tim Drahozal; her aunts, Ida Carter Jones and Marolin Milan; her uncles, Alex Carter, Dennis Carter, Kem Moore, and Elton Moore; her special cousin, Eric Carter; and a host of family and friends; 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 Dianne Patrice Durham 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 Dianne Durham as an expression of our deepest sympathy.