HR0095 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0095 LRB103 31147 MST 57888 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Keith Edward Harris, who passed away on February 9, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Keith Harris was born in Chicago to Roy and Nellie Jean Harris on April 17, 1968; he grew up in Bellwood, where he attended Roosevelt Middle School and graduated from St. Joseph High School in Westchester; after high school, he attended Triton College and graduated from Lewis University in Romeoville with an associate's degree in Business Administration and Management; he married Tassanee "Tess" Bailey on August 29, 1992; and

WHEREAS, Keith Harris had an illustrious career spanning three decades; he worked in the insurance industry for MetLife, Mercer Insurance, and Cigna; he was also a businessman and entrepreneur and owned and managed several residential properties; he made a hobby out of going to Home Depot, where he would often spend hours; and

WHEREAS, Keith Harris was a servant at heart; he was on the police force of the Bellwood Police Department for a short period of time; he also served as a trustee for the Village of Bellwood and on the Planning & Zoning Commissioner Board; he later became a member of the Homewood Community Events Board and was a longtime active and faithful board member of Operation Uplift and Taproots, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Keith Harris committed to his faith at an early age; while still living in Bellwood, he and Tess attended Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood; after moving to Homewood, they attended Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson, where he enjoyed the Men's Ministry weekly sessions, affectionately known as the "Basement"; and

WHEREAS, Keith Harris was a loyal, admired, trusted, and committed friend to many; he had a humble personality and was always open, warm, welcoming, thoughtful, respectful, and considerate to everyone; he looked out for his neighbors and would often shovel their snow, just like he did his own; when outdoors in the spring and summer, his pride and joy was his prize-winning lawn that was admired by all; when the kids in the neighborhood needed air in their bikes, he was the "go to" bike maintenance guy; he was also the neighborhood carpool driver and made several stops to drop kids off at school; and

WHEREAS, Keith Harris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Bernice Harris and Herbert and Ruby Taylor; his uncles, Joe, Richard, and Robert Taylor and Melvin, Tyrone, and Jeffery Bailey; his aunts, Eva Starks, Shirley Golston, and June Taylor; and his cousins Michael and Charles Harris; and

WHEREAS, Keith Harris is survived by his wife, Tassanee; his son, Kendall; his daughter, Ariana; his parents, Roy and Nellie Jean Harris and Duane and Barbara Lee Sr.; his sister, Sylvia (Adrian) Zeno; his brother, Duane (Christian) Lee Jr.; his aunts, Janette Latiker, Stella Taylor, Yolanda Taylor, Alma Walton, Demetrius (Gerald) Barbee, and Lisa Johnson; his uncles, Robert Harris, Howard Starks Sr., Herbert Taylor, and Bernard Bailey; his great-aunts, Meloneal Hobson and Mattie White; his nieces, Gisele, Skky, Nova, and Reign; his nephew, Deonte; his special cousin, Kristian Latiker; and numerous, cousins, other relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Keith Edward Harris 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 Keith Harris as an expression of our deepest sympathy.