HR0941 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0941 LRB100 21359 MST 37744 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Zena Ray "Zeke" Upshaw, who passed away on March 26, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Zeke Upshaw was born in Chicago on May 27, 1991 and grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood; he attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and played for the Maroons, where as a junior in 2008, he was named the most valuable player of the Independent School League; he was one of the school's first players to earn a Division I basketball scholarship when he went to play for the Illinois State University (ISU) Redbirds; he graduated from ISU with a degree in apparel, merchandising, and design in 2013; he then played for the Hofstra University Pride while studying for a post-graduate degree; and

WHEREAS, Zeke Upshaw played for the Helios Suns in Slovenia during the 2014-2015 season and for Basket Esch in Luxembourg during the 2015-2016 season; and

WHEREAS, Zeke Upshaw was drafted by the Grand Rapids Drive in the 2016 NBA Developmental League Draft; and

WHEREAS, Zeke Upshaw was in his second season with the Grand Rapids Drive, an affiliate of the Detroit Pistons; 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 Zena Ray "Zeke" Upshaw, 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 Zeke Upshaw as an expression of our deepest sympathy.