Full Text of SR1108 103rd General Assembly
SR1108 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY | | | SR1108 | | LRB103 41168 LAW 74385 r |
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| 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION | 2 | | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened | 3 | | to learn of the death of John Cyril Mitchell, who passed away | 4 | | on June 14, 2024; and | 5 | | WHEREAS, John Mitchell was born to Joseph and Camilla | 6 | | Mitchell in Lanham, Maryland on March 14, 1967; he attended | 7 | | DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where | 8 | | he excelled academically and athletically in football and | 9 | | softball; he continued his studies at Prince George's | 10 | | Community College in Largo, Maryland; and | 11 | | WHEREAS, John Mitchell was known as the esteemed chief of | 12 | | staff to Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. at the Rainbow PUSH | 13 | | Coalition; he was first employed as executive assistant to | 14 | | Executive Director Nancy Ware of the Citizenship Education | 15 | | Fund; during this pivotal period in the mid-1990s, his | 16 | | exceptional talents caught the eye of Reverend Jackson, | 17 | | propelling him into a realm of greater influence and impact; | 18 | | and | 19 | | WHEREAS, After relocating to the national headquarters in | 20 | | Chicago, John Mitchell embraced his role as assistant to | 21 | | National Field Director Gary Flowers with fervor and | 22 | | dedication; together with his esteemed colleagues, his work |
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| 1 | | was pivotal in organizing countless direct-action campaigns, | 2 | | championing the cause of social, economic, and political | 3 | | fairness across the nation; his involvement in historic | 4 | | events, from voting rights marches in Jackson, Mississippi, | 5 | | San Francisco, California, and Atlanta, Georgia to | 6 | | commemorative pilgrimages honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin | 7 | | Luther King Jr., underscored his unwavering commitment to | 8 | | justice and equality; and | 9 | | WHEREAS, John Mitchell's exemplary leadership and | 10 | | unparalleled work ethic garnered widespread acclaim as he | 11 | | ascended the ranks; transitioning to the roles of travel | 12 | | assistant and then scheduler for Reverend Jackson, he became | 13 | | the linchpin of organization and efficiency, ensuring that | 14 | | every aspect of Reverend Jackson's schedule aligned seamlessly | 15 | | with the overarching mission of the organization; his | 16 | | meticulous attention to detail, coupled with his ability to | 17 | | navigate complex logistical challenges, cemented his | 18 | | reputation as a trusted confidant and strategic advisor; and | 19 | | WHEREAS, John Mitchell became chief of staff to Reverend | 20 | | Jackson in 2004; in this coveted position, he assumed a myriad | 21 | | of roles, including goalkeeper, operator, implementer, | 22 | | integrator, proxy, and advisor; his unwavering dedication and | 23 | | steadfast resolve made him the indispensable cornerstone of | 24 | | Reverend Jackson's inner circle, earning him the moniker of |
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| 1 | | the Reverend Jackson's "Go-to-Guy" among political luminaries | 2 | | and community leaders alike; and | 3 | | WHEREAS, John Mitchell was deeply committed to service; he | 4 | | made annual pilgrimages to Maryland to join his mother in | 5 | | organizing the largest volunteer tent for the annual Susan G. | 6 | | Komen Race for the Cure; he also possessed boundless love for | 7 | | and devotion to children, whether serving as a mentor, | 8 | | counselor, or benefactor; and | 9 | | WHEREAS, For his outstanding contributions, John Mitchell | 10 | | was named Rainbow PUSH Employee of the Year and a Chicago | 11 | | Defender Men of Excellence honoree in 2011; and | 12 | | WHEREAS, John Mitchell was a visionary leader and a | 13 | | tireless advocate for justice who embodied the spirit of | 14 | | teamwork and perseverance; his indelible imprint on the fabric | 15 | | of our society serves as a testament to the transformative | 16 | | power of compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication to | 17 | | the pursuit of equality and justice for all; and | 18 | | WHEREAS, John Mitchell is survived by his wife, Corita; | 19 | | their children, John Baptiste and Camilla Elise Margaret; his | 20 | | siblings, Joseph and Karen Mitchell Jr., Jason and Christina | 21 | | Mitchell, and Dominick and Tori Mitchell; his nephews, Jacob, | 22 | | Calvin, and Bryce; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and |
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| 1 | | godchildren; and a global community of friends; therefore, be | 2 | | it | 3 | | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL | 4 | | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of | 5 | | John Cyril Mitchell and extend our sincere condolences to his | 6 | | family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it | 7 | | further | 8 | | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | 9 | | presented to the family of John Mitchell as an expression of | 10 | | our deepest sympathy. |
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