SR0859 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0859 LRB097 22211 MST 70946 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ora A. Higgins, who passed away on July 25, 2012, at the age of 101, surrounded by her family; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins was born on September 24, 1910, in Birmingham, Alabama; she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in personnel administration and a Master's degree in business law from Northwestern University; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins was hired to serve as the first African-American personnel director for Spiegel's, Inc., and was tasked with integrating its workforce, teaching executives and managers the value of diversity, and breaking down racial myths and barriers to the participation of people of color in the workplace; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins' talents were soon recognized by downtown department stores, who asked her to replicate her successful program, which she did while insisting on equal pay and equal opportunities for African-Americans and encouraging those around her, including the Reverend Harold E. Bailey, to complete their education; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins devoted herself to the causes of civil rights, peace, education, employment, and the alleviation of poverty; during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration, she spoke to the United States Department of Labor on the topic of race, poverty, and a call to peace; in 1976 she founded the Ora Higgins Youth Foundation, which has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to Chicago-area high school graduates and each year recognizes outstanding community leaders; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins took a leadership role in a large number of civil rights, professional, and community organizations and served as the national chairperson for Women in Industry; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins received numerous awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the Tuskegee Institute and an award from the Chicago Association of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Ora Higgins is survived by her daughter, Dr. Murrell Higgins Duster, and her son, Rev. William "Chico" Higgins, 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren; she was also the great-great-aunt of First Lady Michelle Obama; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE 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 A. Higgins as an expression of our sympathy.