SR0396 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0396 LRB097 14290 GRL 59059 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Gregory C. James, who passed away on October 20, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James was born on February 29, 1956, in Chicago; he lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Ohio, and Massachusetts before returning to Chicago; upon his return, he became a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, where he was a gifted tenor in the sanctuary choir; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James earned his master's degree in education from Southern Illinois University and his Ed.D. from Grambling State University in Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James served as the assistant vice president of student affairs at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines; he began his career at Oakton in August of 2005 as the college's dean of students; in June of 2009, he was promoted to Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Office of Access, Equity, and Diversity - the first to hold the position; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James' commitment to social justice and anti-bias work made him a leader at Oakton Community College and throughout the region; he was regularly called upon to speak at events and conferences about his work; he also served on Oakton's Master Plan Steering Committee and on the steering committee of the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James was the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including the Equity Award from the Illinois Community College Trustee Association, the Innovation Award from the Illinois Council of Community College Administration, the Pan African Connection Grant, the Office of Access, Equity, and Diversity Grant, and the Pan African Summit Grant; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory James is survived by his life partner, David DeCoursey-James; his daughter, Maurionna Minor; his father, Rev. Dr. Silas James; his brothers, Lt. Col. Cedric C. Minor-ret., Daryl K. Minor, Kevin D. Minor, and Maurice D. Minor and their spouses; his many nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dr. Gregory C. James; and be it further

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