SR0788 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0788 LRB098 15952 MST 50999 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Deverra Beverly of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was born to Clyde Archibald and Priscilla Foster; and

WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was a lifelong resident of the ABLA Homes; she has become synonymous with her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life in public housing; she often went into action when a resident of public housing experienced the loss of a loved-one and ensured grief-stricken families had access to the ABLA Center; she was a teacher, confidant, and role model for many of the professional, administrative, and maintenance staff of the Chicago Housing Authority and private management firms; and

WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly's commitment to public housing came out of her having lived in public housing all of her life; she moved into the ABLA Homes with her family in 1943; she held numerous resident leadership positions within public housing such as Vice-Chair and Interim Chair of the Central Advisory Council, President and Treasurer of the ABLA Homes Local Advisory Council, and Commissioner of the Chicago Housing Authority, appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was the founding Chair of the National Public Housing Museum; it was her vision and commitment to create a world-class cultural and academic institution that will forever preserve the stories of public and social housing nationally and abroad; and

WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly implemented and coordinated many programs, including a summer youth employment program, a resident employment program, the "Safe Passage Program", the annual ABLA Day gathering and picnic, income tax assistance programs for seniors, a children's after school food supplement program, "The Employability Plus" program", and "The After School Matters" program; she produced and recruited for the motion picture "Hardball" which was filmed within the ABLA community and spearheaded Mayor Daley's Annual Clean and Green Program; and

WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, William Pickens; her daughter, Christine Beverly; her son, Eugene Beverly; and her grandson, Keith Rawls; and

WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly is survived by her sons, Kenneth, Levert, Melvin, and William; her sisters, Rosetta and Mary Lou; her grandchildren, Keith, Keni, Shonda, Tamika, Jeremy, Gwen, Lamont, Daryl, Yolanda, Shevonne, Levert Jr., Salina, and Lakendra; a host of great-grandchildren; and a huge extended family and special friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Deverra Beverly and 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 Deverra Beverly as an expression of our deepest sympathy and in recognition of all she has contributed to the people of the ABLA Homes.