SR1034 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with deep sorrow and regret of the death of our friend and colleague, Illinois State Representative Esther Golar of Chicago, on September 21, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Representative Golar was born in Chicago on April 16, 1944; she was one of 9 children; a lifelong resident of Chicago's South Side, she grew up in the West Englewood neighborhood, graduated from Malcolm X College, and resided in Englewood; and

WHEREAS, Representative Golar made her mark as a dedicated public servant and community leader, building local organizations, advocating for greater public safety, and fighting for those who struggle; she was a coordinator for the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy for more than 15 years, training residents to build friendlier and safer communities; she was a community service representative at Robert Fulton School and a resident board member of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc.; strong in faith, she attended and volunteered at Trinity United Church of Christ; and

WHEREAS, Representative Golar worked for the Chicago Police Department on Chicago's South and West Sides in the Troubled Buildings Unit and as a Community Policing Coordinator; as a testament to her selflessness and loyalty, though she began her service with the police department on Chicago's South Side, after she was transferred to the West Side, she continued to help her coworkers on the South Side; and

WHEREAS, Representative Golar joined the Illinois House of Representatives in 2005; committed to constituent service, Representative Golar's constituents would often stop her at the grocery store, the pharmacy, and throughout the community asking for assistance; she did her best to help with everything from street sweeping and street lighting to enforcing child support payments; she regularly attended events in the community, such as the Englewood Back-to-School Parade and the Resident Association of Greater Englewood's "So Fresh Saturdays" series, visited and met with constituents, and worked to build bridges and strengthen relationships for the betterment of local neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Representative Golar's legislative responsibilities were a reflection of her priorities and her determination to improve the lives of not only her constituents but all Illinois residents; she fought for safer neighborhoods, stronger schools, and additional educational resources for children, equal access to health care and economic development for seniors and persons with disabilities, better wages, and a better standard of living for the middle class and struggling families; one of the first laws she passed was aimed at increasing State payments to vendors of homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services for the purpose of increasing employees' wages and providing health insurance; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her nearly 10 years in the House of Representatives, Representative Golar served as House Chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Chair of the Elementary and Secondary Education: School Curriculum and Policies Committee, Chair of the Public Policy and Accountability for Education Committee, and Chair and Vice-Chair of the Housing and Disability Services Committees; her committee membership included service on the Elementary and Secondary Education, Child Support Enforcement, Health Care Availability and Accessibility, Human Services Appropriations, Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations, and Judiciary-Criminal Law Committees; and

WHEREAS, Representative Golar's legislative achievements include the Senator Penny Severns Memorial Award for her advocacy for persons with disabilities, the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Leadership Award, and the Safer Foundation's CARRE Visionary Award for her outstanding contributions to eliminate barriers to employment for people with criminal records; and

WHEREAS, Representative Golar was adored and respected by her friends and colleagues and will be remembered for her resolve, commitment to public service, devotion to faith, kindness, and sense of humor and for bringing levity to sometimes tense moments with her gift of song; her quiet nature and friendly demeanor were a reflection of her warm personality, but she never hesitated to rise and fight for the disadvantaged, the most vulnerable, and those who struggle; and

WHEREAS, Esther Golar was a loving sister, the proud mother of Tiffany Golar, and the devoted grandmother of Briana Golar, Toni Common, Ananea Common, and Jayden Golar; and

WHEREAS, The death of Representative Esther Golar is deeply felt by her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; her presence at the State Capitol will be greatly missed; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Illinois State Representative Esther Golar; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Esther Golar as an expression of our deepest sympathies and respect.