HR0949LRB101 23334 LAW 74508 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Donnie 
4Allen Kirksey, who passed away on December 28, 2020; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey was born in Chicago on March 31, 
61963; he graduated from Parkside Elementary School in 1977 and 
7Chicago Vocational High School in 1981, where he was an 
8outstanding basketball and football player from 1977 to 1981; 
9he earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and 
10Management from Roosevelt University in 1985; he earned a 
11Certificate in Sports and Entertainment Law; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey worked for Nike, Reebok, and 
13Adidas; he served as an assistant coach at DePaul University, 
14Chicago State University, and the University of Illinois at 
15Chicago; at the time of his death, he was serving as the 
16administrator of Culture and Climate and the head basketball 
17coach at Chicago Vocational High School, where he was 
18responsible for maintaining a positive atmosphere and ensuring 
19the safety of over 900 students; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey received a number of accolades 
21during his career, including the Saving Black Males/Par 
22Excellence in Education Award in June 2009 and the Chicago 
 
 
HR0949- 2 -LRB101 23334 LAW 74508 r

1Region IBCA Coach of the Year Award in 2010; he was featured as 
2one of America's Best and Brightest Young Business and 
3Professional Men in Dollars & Sense magazine in 1992; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey will be remembered for assisting 
5and mentoring a multitude of young men in their journeys  toward 
6enrolling in institutions of higher learning, where many 
7engaged in a variety of basketball programs and graduated from 
8various colleges; he enjoyed serving at his church; he was a 
9proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey enjoyed caring for  his wife Dionne,  
11his daughter Nadia, his grandson Kahliel, and his dog Dior; 
12therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
14HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
15we mourn the passing of Donnie Allen Kirksey and extend our 
16sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew 
17and loved him; and be it further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of Donnie Allen Kirksey as an 
20expression of our deepest sympathy.