SR0312 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0312 LRB094 13091 HSS 47941 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with deep regret of the death of Dr. LaRona Jane Morris on Saturday, July 2, 2005; and

WHEREAS, LaRona Jane Walls was born on November 16, 1942, to James Clark Walls and Norma Slack Walls; she attended Dunbar Elementary, Hughes Quinn Junior High, and graduated from East St. Louis Senior High in January of 1960; she attended the Mildred Louis Business College and began working at Scott Air Force Base; and

WHEREAS, On February 11, 1962, she married Mr. Oreido (Perry) Morris; she received her bachelor's degree in business education and her master's degree in counseling education, both from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville; in 1988, she earned a doctorate in educational administration and higher education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, along with her sister, Dr. Stephanie Carpenter; and

WHEREAS, While an undergraduate student, Dr. Morris became a member of the Gamma Beta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in Edwardsville; her activism in her local chapter and leadership skills launched a trajectory of sorority service that gained her regional and national attention; her accomplishments as International Grand Anti-Grammateus/Secretary of Board led to her election as the 18th Grand Basileus in 1996; and

WHEREAS, During her directorship, she was responsible for the conception and initiation of Operation Book Bag, a program that provided school supplies to disadvantaged children; it was also under these auspices that she created an adolescent youth symposium to address the problems of today's youth; a Sigma legacy herself, she was pleased to have led many family members and friends into Sigma's circle of sisterhood and to have her legacy live on; and

WHEREAS, After working for many years as a civilian at Scott Air Force Base, Dr. Morris became involved both civically and politically in an unparalleled manner; beginning as a Special Assistant to James E. Williams, Sr., the first African-American mayor of East St. Louis, she represented the city on numerous radio talk shows and public events, which helped to hone her skills as a gifted orator; she also served as Deputy City Clerk and Legislative Assistant to the East St. Louis City Council; and

WHEREAS, Her love of education and commitment to youth led to employment as a Special Assistant to the St. Clair County Regional Superintendent of Schools for 13 years; she served as assistant principal, and then principal, of the Edward H. Wirth Middle School, Cahokia School District No. 187; she also worked as an assistant principal at Cahokia High School, where she oversaw the alternative program; and

WHEREAS, She was elected to the East St. Louis Board of Education, School District No. 189, in 1997 and was a member of the reform team that facilitated many changes in the District; she was especially proud of chairing the School Uniform committee and realizing the successful adoption and implementation of the K-12 mandate for school uniforms; she also spearheaded the inclusion of the JROTC as a vital part of the high school program; and

WHEREAS, She won a second term in 2001, but resigned to serve as assistant principal of her alma mater, East St. Louis Senior High School; she was later employed as the principal of Clark Junior High School; during her leisure time, she enjoyed roller skating, collecting and reading comic books, and working jigsaw puzzles; she had a lifelong affiliation with the Church of God in Christ Congregational Church; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her sorority involvement, she participated in numerous civic activities and organizations, including the NAACP, Illinois Women Administrators, National Council of Negro Women, Business and Professional Women, The East St. Louis Principals Association, the American Institute of Parliamentarians, the Optimists, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Elks, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts; her educational affiliations include Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity, Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society, and American MENSA, Ltd.; because of her public service, professional contributions, and political endeavors, she received over 150 honors and awards, including acknowledgements in "Ebony", "Jet", and "Black Enterprise" magazines; and

WHEREAS, She loved family and in 1988 founded, organized, and incorporated Dozens of Cousins, Inc., a connection of the Cason, Slack, Lawrence, and Anderson families; this 500 member organization sponsors biennial reunions across the United States; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Larona Jane Walls Morris has been deeply felt by many, especially her husband, Oreido; her children, Bryant (Winona), Ricci, and Crystal (William) Wilson; her mother, Norma Slack Walls; her grandchildren, Brianne, Angel LaRona, Crystal M. Morris, Mercedes, and Richard Morris, and Crystan Wilson; her great-granddaughter, Makayla Harden; her step-grandchildren, Precious and Nathan Rice; her sisters, Dr. Stephanie Carpenter, Tanya Rodgers, Pamela D. Bady, and Sheila Williams; her brother, Kenneth Walls; her half-sisters, Latisha Perry and Lisa (Anthony) Pearson; her aunts, Mother Elward L. May and Mrs. Jessie (George) Galloway; her great-aunt and great-uncle, Mr. Eddie (Rose Evelyn) Langford; her great-aunts, Mrs. Louise Slack, Mrs. Mildred Langford, and Mrs. Susie Langford; and her special childhood friend, Mrs. Earnestine Fowler; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. LaRona Jane Walls Morris, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 her family as an expression of our sincerest condolences for their loss.