HR0707 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0707 LRB095 12992 GRL 38628 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Pioneer broadcaster Richard Durham was born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Richard Durham began his legendary broadcast career during the Great Depression with the Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration; and

WHEREAS, Richard Durham later wrote for the CBS affiliate WBBM Chicago; and

WHEREAS, As the sole writer and producer of Destination Freedom, Richard Durham's goal was to combat the negative stereotypes of blacks in the media; and

WHEREAS, Destination Freedom was originally heard on WMAQ Radio from June 27, 1948 to August, 1950; it was sponsored initially by the Chicago Defender, then by the Chicago Urban League; and

WHEREAS, The groundbreaking radio drama Destination Freedom included 91 episodes, showcasing the lives of prominent black Americans; and

WHEREAS, Richard Durham's extraordinary genius in both journalism and broadcasting included serving as editor for the Chicago Defender and Ebony magazine; and

WHEREAS, Richard Durham is one of five people who will be inducted posthumously into America's only National Radio Hall of Fame on November 3, 2007 in Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the family and friends of Richard Durham, and the countless admirers of him and his work; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Richard Durham as a symbol of our esteem and respect.