HR0834 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0834 LRB097 20664 GRL 66696 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sara Spurlark of Chicago, who passed away on February 12, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Sara Spurlark grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee; after attending Knoxville College in Tennessee for 2 years, she transferred to Hampton University in Virginia, where she graduated in 1944; she subsequently earned her master's degree from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1947 and attended the University of Chicago to pursue a doctoral degree in biochemistry; and

WHEREAS, Sara Spurlark married her loving husband, Royal E. Spurlark Jr., in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Sara Spurlark had a long and distinguished career as an educator; she began her career as a chemistry teacher with CPS in 1955; she later served as the head of Kelly High School's science department; around 1966, she relocated to the new Kenwood High School (now Kenwood Academy), where she served as a biology teacher before becoming assistant principal a few years later; In the late 1970s, she became the principal of Ray Elementary School, where she served until her retirement from CPS in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Following her retirement from CPS, Sara Spurlark became a founding member and associate director of the University of Chicago's Center for Urban School Improvement; she continued in this capacity until her retirement in 2005; during her tenure at the Center, she played a key role in the university's charter school program; and

WHEREAS, Sara Spurlark was involved with numerous civic and religious organizations, including the McCormick Theological Seminary, the South East Chicago Commission, and the Chicago School Finance Authority; and

WHEREAS, Sara Spurlark was preceded in death by her husband, Royal E. Spurlark, Jr.; her son, Royal E. Spurlark, III; her parents, Hardy and Estelle Liston; and her 3 sisters and 2 brothers; and

WHEREAS, Sara Spurlark is survived by her daughters, Susan and Aurelia; her daughter-in-law, Miriam Hernandez-Spurlark; her brothers, Hardy Liston Jr. and David Liston; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Maxwell L. Kennedy, Royal E. Spurlark, IV, John E. Kennedy, Alicia E. Spurlark, Makayla L. Kennedy, and Royal E. Spurlark, V; therefore, be it

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

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