HR0770 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0770 LRB100 17857 ALS 33040 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Rudy L. Horne, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Morehouse University, who passed away on December 12, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Horne was born in Englewood to Rudy and Carolyn Horne; he grew up near 79th and Hermitage and took swimming lessons at Foster Park at 83rd and Loomis; his father worked at a Sherwin-Williams plant, and his mother helped operate a day care center; the family eventually moved to University Park, and he graduated from Crete-Monee High School; he then earned double degrees in math and physics from the University of Oklahoma in 1991; he earned a master's degree in physics in 1994, a master's degree in math in 1996, and his doctorate in applied mathematics in 2001 at the University of Colorado; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Horne joined the faculty at Morehouse College in August 2010 and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2015; prior to Morehouse, he taught at Florida State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and California State University, East Bay; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Horne was a member of the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematicians; in 2016, he was asked to serve as a math consultant for the movie "Hidden Figures"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Horne enjoyed sushi, Ethiopian food, and the television show "Law and Order;" as a child, he was an avid comic book collector, and his favorites were Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and Star Trek; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Horne was a beloved educator who was regarded as a "rock star" of math after his brush with fame; friends and colleagues knew him as a direct role model for African-American male students because they could see themselves as hardcore applied mathematicians and have fun while doing it; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Horne is survived by his mother; his brother, William; and his sister, Frances Harper; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Rudy L. Horne and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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