Full Text of HR0216 94th General Assembly
HR0216 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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HR0216 |
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| HOUSE RESOLUTION
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| WHEREAS, State Representative Monique Davis and the | 3 |
| members of the House of Representatives of the State of | 4 |
| Illinois learned with great sadness of the death of Meshach | 5 |
| Silas on Monday, February 21, 2005; and
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| WHEREAS, Mr. Silas was a native of Mississippi and was one | 7 |
| of Chicago's busiest musicians; he was a founding member, lead | 8 |
| percussionist, and stage director of Funkadesi, a group | 9 |
| dedicated to a fusion of black diasporic and East Indian music; | 10 |
| he was also the co-founder, with his wife, Nahgeree Sutton, of | 11 |
| the Minianka African Drum and Dance Ensemble; and
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| WHEREAS, Mr. Silas also served as a multi-instrumentalist, | 13 |
| vocalist, teacher, arranger, composer, and session musician | 14 |
| with SPIRITS, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Muntu Dance Theater, | 15 |
| 911 Reggae, Katalyst, and Keith Eric & Waterhouse; and
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| WHEREAS, Always the student, Mr. Silas had traveled to West | 17 |
| Africa, Brazil, Cuba, the Virgin Islands, and Europe to learn | 18 |
| different percussion instruments and techniques; the song | 19 |
| "Sewa" from Funkadesi's "Uncut Roots" album showcased his | 20 |
| virtuosity, singing, and playing all percussion; and
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| WHEREAS, He had recently been teaching at the Betty Shabazz | 22 |
| International Charter School on Chicago's South Side; and
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| WHEREAS, Meshach Silas was known for his need to empower | 24 |
| his community through wholeheartedly embracing African art and | 25 |
| culture; he had a fierce love and conviction and wanted to | 26 |
| create a community among people of all socioeconomic classes, | 27 |
| races, and backgrounds; and
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| WHEREAS, The passing of Meshach Silas has been deeply felt | 29 |
| by many, especially his wife, Nahgeree Sutton; his daughters, |
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HR0216 |
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| Lakeisha, Femi, and Noni; and his son, Jeremiah; therefore, be | 2 |
| it
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| RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE | 4 |
| NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that | 5 |
| we mourn the passing of Meshach Silas, and we extend our | 6 |
| deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and | 7 |
| loved him; and be it further
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| RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | 9 |
| presented to his family as an expression of our sincere | 10 |
| condolences.
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