SR0146 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0146 LRB095 11918 KXB 35188 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Y. Peoples of Chicago, who passed away on April 6, 2007; and

WHEREAS, James Y. Peoples was born June 1, 1932 in Snowhill, Alabama; at the age of six, James and his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended elementary and high school; James met the love of his life, Dorothy Sneed, in Chicago and they were married June 22, 1963; and

WHEREAS, James Peoples was a long time member of Chatham-Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder, Treasurer, Deacon, and a member of the Men's Council; he loved his church, his church family, and his pastor; and

WHEREAS, James Peoples earned his Bachelors degree (Health and Physical Education) at Kentucky State University, obtained his Master's Degree in Education from DePaul University in Chicago, and his Doctorate in Administration and Supervision from Highland University in Athens, Tennessee; he also received certificates in Counseling and Guidance, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling, School Counseling, and School Service Personnel; and

WHEREAS, In July of 1987 James Peoples was named principal of Hillcrest High School, the first African American principal in that district; he had previously been employed for 15 years in the district as an administrator at Hillcrest High School; he also taught and was a football coach at Marshall High School in Chicago and was a District Guidance Counselor at West Harvey/Dixmoor School District #147 in Harvey; and

WHEREAS, His academic and professional awards include: Distinguished Alumni, Kentucky State University (KSU); Trail Blazer Award, KSU; 100 Outstanding Alumni, KSU; Outstanding Community Leader and Noteworthy American; Who's Who in the Midwest; and National Association for Equality in Educational Opportunity in Higher Education; he served as President of the KSU Foundation; he was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and served as Polemarch in 1979; he was a life member of the KSU Alumni Association; and he was a Board Member of the Coalition For Improved Education in South Shore (CIESS); and

WHEREAS, Over 33 years ago, his best friend, Dr. C. Vincent Bakeman, asked him to join the Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. (HRDI) Board of Directors, and most recently he was Treasurer of the Board; he served on the HRD Foundation as its President; since he joined the Board of Directors, HRDI has grown tremendously, serving over 18,000 clients per year with programs in seven states; and

WHEREAS, His father and two siblings, Lela Dillard and Robert Peoples preceded him in death; and

WHEREAS, James Peoples leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Dorothy; his son, Cedric (Vernetta); one granddaughter, Bethany; his mother, Virginia; his sisters, Louise Thomas, Francis Muldrew, and Janet Tilman; his brother, Raymond Peoples (Linda); his sister-in-laws, Addie M. Harrell and Louise Lott; his aunt, Erska Prude; his uncle, David Davis (Estelle); Mary Davis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of James Y. Peoples; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James Y. Peoples as a symbol of our sympathy.