HR0903 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0903 LRB095 17132 GRL 43187 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joan Greene, who passed away on January 5, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Joan Greene was born on October 30, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland; her parents were John and Edith Distance; she married Elliotte Emmanuel Greene II in 1959 in Alexandria, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Joan Greene attended public school in Baltimore, where she discovered and developed her musical and artistic talents; she was the first African American to be awarded a full scholarship to the famous Peabody Institute; and

WHEREAS, Joan Greene was a full-time wife and mother for many years; she was a loyal employee of the Social Security Administration for 33 years, being promoted to the position of Legal Assistant; and

WHEREAS, Joan Greene had an extensive background in musical performance; she performed at the Standard Club and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on many occasions; she was a performing member of the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus and The Chicago's Experimental Black Actor's Guild "X-Bag" Theatre; and

WHEREAS, Joan Greene was an active member of many civic organizations, including the Ausar Auset Society, the Temple of African Community of Chicago, The National Black United Front's Chicago chapter, Accounters Center of Faith, and Community Outreach; she was an Elder and board member of Ile Okun Inu, NFP; and

WHEREAS, Joan Greene is survived by her daughters, Melanie Greene, Judith Braynen, and Karen (Bashaan) Prewitt; her sons, Patrick Greene and Elliotte (Esmerelda) Greene III; her grandchildren, Erica Braynen, Bianca Greene, Zachary Greene, Patrick (PJ) Greene Jr., Chloe Braynen, Joshua Braynen, Gianni Greene, Symone Prewitt, Hayden Braynen, and Jillian Greene; her spiritual family, Darlene Williams, Talibah Worrill, Victoria Snow, Billye Wilson, Art Williams, Ron Williams, Carol Williams, Brooks, Paula Harris, Dawn Roberts, Seeyen Hughley, Andrea Williams, Koya Odum, Kimberley Aisha King, Nova Smith, and Jermaine Brooks; and her long-time friends, Martha Lowery and Elizabeth Frierson; and

WHEREAS, Joan Greene will be remembered by all who knew and loved her as a loving and humorous person with a contagious smile; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Joan Greene; and be it further

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