SR0841 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0841 LRB103 39773 MST 70292 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Nia Odeoti-Hassan; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan was born in 1948; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan exhibited exceptional leadership within the City of Springfield and throughout the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan served as the policy and budget analyst for the Illinois Senate from 1981 to 2017; during that time, she became a trusted leader and mentor to countless bipartisan members of the General Assembly and Capitol staff; she served under five governors, four senate presidents, and four speakers of the house; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's dedication to healthcare, women's rights, and the expansion of education and access to politics remains unmatched; in 2001, she was an advocate for the Halal Food Act to require food labeled Halal be prepared according to Islamic Law; in 2009, she helped organize the first Muslim Action Day at the Capitol; she also introduced the Senate Page Program, allowing for high school and college students to shadow state senators; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan served as a Democratic precinct committeewoman for nearly 20 years and was a member of the Westside Democratic Club, now known as the Greater Springfield Democrats; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's combined love for advocacy and government earned her Golden member status in her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., with over 50 years of service to the sorority's mission of service to all mankind; she also served as the sorority's committee chair and coordinator for the Illinois State Connection Committee throughout three regional administrations; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's kindness, leadership, and wisdom touched everyone within the radius of her communities of faith, family, and friends; she exemplified leading with integrity and intelligence in her professional life, her political life, and her beloved sorority; and

WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's legacy lives on through her daughter, Emma Hassan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Nia Odeoti-Hassan and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Nia Odeoti-Hassan as an expression of our deepest sympathy.