HR1317 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1317 LRB096 22532 KXB 41832 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend and colleague, State Representative Eddie P. Washington of Waukegan, who passed away on June 5, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Washington was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 8, 1953; he grew up in East St. Louis, taking great pride and inspiration in the number of East St. Louisans who made major contributions to American arts, letters, science, sports, and civic life; he moved to Waukegan in 1985; he quickly became known as a passionate advocate for equal rights and for helping marginalized groups gain empowerment through the political process; and

WHEREAS, He was educated in the public schools of East St. Louis and received a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and East St. Louis, majoring in political science and journalism; he also graduated from the College of Lake County; and

WHEREAS, He was a trailblazer for African Americans across the State and in Lake County; a plaintiff in a federal court case, Washington vs. Walker (1975), he was subsequently credited with breaking down institutional barriers that had kept blacks, Latinos, and women from gainful employment as Illinois State Police officers; he began his long road of public service in 1986 as a precinct committeeman; he started the first African American Police League of Waukegan and North Chicago, became the first African American to be elected Trustee of the North Shore Sanitary District, and the first to serve as Chairman of the Waukegan Democratic Organization; in 2002, he became the first African American State legislator elected from Lake County and was re-elected State representative three times; he was a member of the Legislative Black Caucus; and

WHEREAS, He spent decades working with community organizations in the Metro East and Northeastern Illinois, even founding his own activist group, P.O.W.E.R. (People Organized Working for Equal Respect); he collaborated closely with the Lake County NAACP to improve the quality of life for local residents; he was a stalwart ally of the John Howard Association and supported its efforts to provide more humane living conditions for the incarcerated and to equip them with skills needed to become contributing members of society after their release; and

WHEREAS, He served as the Director of Employment and Economic Development for the Lake County Urban League, solidifying his commitment to the cause of prosperity through job creation; he was an active voice to encourage new businesses to open in North Chicago and Waukegan, particularly in the Tenth Street Corridor; he promoted the development of green jobs and was outspoken on the need for Illinois to become a leader in renewable energy; and

WHEREAS, He served as an advocate for at-risk youth by promoting programs to provide them with positive alternatives and direction so that they might achieve their fullest potential; he was especially concerned about youth unemployment and the need to extend job creation efforts to help young people as well as adults; he worked closely with local youth organizations and schools to encourage students and guide them towards a positive future; and

WHEREAS, As a former Corrections Deputy Officer with the Lake County Sheriff's Department, he had the unique experience of working both in law enforcement and as a mentor to help ex-offenders turn their lives around; he worked with local law enforcement to further public safety by curbing gang and gun violence; he was a strong advocate for prison reform, believing that a criminal justice system that ignores rehabilitation and simply churns ex-offenders through a revolving door does nothing to better society or prevent crime; he was Chairman of the House Prison Reform Committee, presiding over many hearings and offering guidance on legislative measures dealing with prison reform; and

WHEREAS, He maintained a close relationship with organized labor in Illinois, helping in the fight for better wages and opportunities for working families; he was a member of the United Transportation Union through his job as a Metra conductor and took pride in maintaining commuter safety; and

WHEREAS, He was an advocate for a strong education system and fought for resources for the schools in his district, including new greenhouses for the Neal Math and Science Academy and Jefferson Middle School to help students interested in agricultural science gain firsthand experience; and

WHEREAS, He was particularly passionate about issues affecting senior citizens; he served as Chairman of the House Aging Committee and held numerous public events and educational forums for his district's older adults; of particular importance to him was helping grandparents raising grandchildren, and he was instrumental in passing legislation to provide assistance and guidance to the thousands of older Illinoisans who answer the call to help ensure a strong upbringing for family members whose biological parents are not able to care for them; during the 96th General Assembly he also served as a member of the Human Services Appropriations, Labor, Mass Transit, and Workers' Compensation committees, and was the Vice-Chairperson of the Public Safety Appropriations Committee; and

WHEREAS, He was a deeply religious man; he was baptized and joined the Straightway Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Tolliver and was called later in life to the Nation of Islam through the guidance of Minister Louis Farrakhan; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his father, Edward E. Washington, Sr.; and his brother, David C. Washington; and

WHEREAS, Representative Eddie Washington is survived by his wife, Flor D'Luis Washington; his three sons, Albert Aziz (Sandreika) Moore, Malik (Mikell) Moore, and Elias Washington; his four daughters, Tikisha (Lawrence) Johnson, Kieanda Moore, Asiah Rose Washington, and Raquela Washington; his mother, Rose Washington; his two brothers, Edward E. Washington, Jr. and Kevin D. Washington; his 10 grandchildren; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and his passing will be felt by his constituents in the 60th House District; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his friends, family, and constituents, the passing of a man who worked tirelessly to be a voice for all the people he represented, one who refused to accept the status quo and always sought new ways to better the lives of Illinoisans, State Representative Eddie P. Washington; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of State Representative Eddie Washington as a symbol of our sympathy for their loss and of our deep respect.