HR1202 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1202 LRB097 22301 MST 71054 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Representative Monique D. Davis and the Illinois House of Representatives are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ora A. Higgins, who passed away on July 25, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins was born in Birmingham, Alabama on September 24, 1910; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins was the first African American personnel director for Spiegel's Inc. and served as a teacher for 31 years at Dunbar Vocational Evening School; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins was the founder of the Ora Higgins Youth Foundation; she celebrated her 101st birthday at the 35th anniversary of the Ora Higgins Youth Scholarship Awards Dinner on October 8, 2011, at the Sabre Room in Hickory Hills; her foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to high school graduates throughout the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins was the great-great aunt of First Lady Michelle Obama; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins is survived by her two children, Dr. Murrell Higgins Duster and Rev. William "Chico" Higgins; her 13 grandchildren; her 26 great-grandchildren; and her 3 great-great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ora Higgins, and we 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 Ora Higgins as an expression of our deepest sympathy.