Full Text of HR0354 103rd General Assembly
HR0354 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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| 1 | | HOUSE RESOLUTION
| 2 | | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of | 3 | | Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Audrey | 4 | | Mason Brookins, who passed away on June 5, 2023; and
| 5 | | WHEREAS, Audrey Brookins was born to Roy and Johnnie Mae | 6 | | Mason in St. Louis, Missouri on June 2, 1936; she was raised in | 7 | | East St. Louis; she attended Sumner High School in St. Louis, | 8 | | where her passion for music flourished, and she showcased her | 9 | | talent in several local recitals, including accompanying her | 10 | | friend and known classical vocalist, Grace Bumbry, on the | 11 | | Arthur Godfrey television show; she attended Scholes Teachers | 12 | | College; she relocated to Chicago in 1954, where she continued | 13 | | to nurture her creative spirit both at home and in her church | 14 | | community; she married Howard Brookins at Gorham United | 15 | | Methodist Church in 1958; and
| 16 | | WHEREAS, Audrey Brookins worked at Science Research | 17 | | Associates (SRA) and Commonwealth Edison; she was noted for | 18 | | her incredible talent in business administration, and she was | 19 | | a skilled typist at 100 words per minute; and
| 20 | | WHEREAS, Audrey Brookins and Howard embarked on a | 21 | | remarkable journey, becoming community organizers at Operation | 22 | | Breadbasket, now known as Operation PUSH, successful business |
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| 1 | | owners, and influential figures in state politics in Illinois; | 2 | | her unwavering support and commitment were instrumental in her | 3 | | husband's political career in the Illinois House of | 4 | | Representatives and Senate, and they worked together to forge | 5 | | new paths for future leaders; she was the rock and foundation | 6 | | that propelled Howard forward, both as a politician and a | 7 | | business owner, standing beside him with dedication and zeal; | 8 | | and
| 9 | | WHEREAS, Audrey Brookins, who generally possessed a calm | 10 | | demeanor, was known for her liveliness and enthusiasm when | 11 | | pursuing her artistic endeavors; she crafted floral | 12 | | arrangements, annual Easter baskets, handsewn dresses, and | 13 | | delectable baked goods, including her renowned dinner rolls, | 14 | | Christmas cookies, rum balls, and fruit cakes; she generously | 15 | | shared her culinary talents, passing down her famous homemade | 16 | | waffle batter recipe to her children and grandchildren and | 17 | | often surprising loved ones with containers of batter and | 18 | | treats; in her later years, she enjoyed creating bitmojis and | 19 | | sending inspirational messages through her phone, dispatching | 20 | | text messages to over 90 people every morning; and
| 21 | | WHEREAS, As the oldest among her sisters and cousins, | 22 | | Audrey Brookins took on the role of guardian, ensuring the | 23 | | well-being of her family with grace, elegance, and a nurturing | 24 | | spirit; she loved upholding family traditions and cherished |
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| 1 | | making sentimental moments with loved ones; and
| 2 | | WHEREAS, Audrey Brookins was a remarkable woman who left | 3 | | an indelible mark on the hearts and lives of those who were | 4 | | fortunate enough to know her; she will be remembered as a | 5 | | beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and | 6 | | pillar of her community whose legacy of love, dedication, and | 7 | | unwavering support will continue to inspire generations to | 8 | | come; and
| 9 | | WHEREAS, Audrey Brookins was preceded in death by her | 10 | | sister, Barbara Jean Behm; and
| 11 | | WHEREAS, Audrey Brookins is survived by her husband, | 12 | | Howard B. Brookins Sr.; her sisters, Marian Jackson and | 13 | | Beatrice "Bea" Sockwell; her children, Andrea Lynette (Norval) | 14 | | Brookins Brown, Howard B. (Ebonie) Brookins Jr., Ronda Jean | 15 | | (Kevin) Behm Brookins Williams, and Cheryl Ann Buckner; her | 16 | | grandchildren, Christopher E. Brown, Christopher G. Britto, | 17 | | Porsche (Robert) Buckner Snowden, Crystal (Julius) Brown | 18 | | Garrant, Arifa Brookins Hinton, Gregory Howard Brookins | 19 | | Hinton, Howard B. Brookins III, Kyli Bijai Marie Williams, | 20 | | Kevin Matthew Williams, and Harihson B. Brookins; nine | 21 | | great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, | 22 | | and close friends; therefore, be it
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| 1 | | RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE | 2 | | HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that | 3 | | we mourn the passing of Audrey Mason Brookins and extend our | 4 | | sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew | 5 | | and loved her; and be it further
| 6 | | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | 7 | | presented to the family of Audrey Brookins as an expression of | 8 | | our deepest sympathy.
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