SR1070 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1070 LRB097 23776 GRL 72931 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois State Senator James Meeks was born in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks attended Harper High School in Chicago; he subsequently continued his education at Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, where he earned his bachelor's degree in religion and philosophy; this led to his eventual position as Pastor at the Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, where he oversaw the growth of the congregation to over 22,000 members; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks has been a long-time community activist, supporting many initiatives demonstrating his commitment to social justice, economic and educational equality, and civil rights, including sponsoring educational scholarships for children, feeding the homeless, and supporting drug rehabilitation programs; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks led the rally to "dry up" the Roseland community in 1998 by collecting votes to close 26 area liquor stores; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks established the Salem Christian Academy School to provide quality education to hundreds of children from preschool through 8th grade; he started the "It Takes a Village" mentoring program offering guidance and support for pregnant teenagers and teen mothers, which has benefitted countless young people since its founding; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Fire Department, the Roseland Community Hospital, the Korean American Merchant Association, and the Olive Branch Mission; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks, since his election to the Illinois Senate in 2003, has demonstrated his commitment to improving the lives of underserved groups, particularly in his unceasing advocacy for education funding reform and access to affordable housing, while serving on the Senate Committees on Revenue, Elections, Housing & Community Affairs, Human Services, State Government & Veterans Affairs, Commerce & Economic Development, Education, Agriculture & Conservation, Senate Education Funding Reform, Appropriations, and Higher Education; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks was the chief architect of legislation that sought to eliminate the funding disparity between wealthy and poor communities by shifting school funding from property taxes to income taxes, allowing the State to maintain a consistent revenue source for Illinois children; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks served as Joint-Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks has successfully passed legislation that reduces racial profiling by establishing a camera grant fund to pay for cameras in police squad cars; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks has supported legislation to decrease recidivism rates and to keep communities safer by encouraging employers to hire ex-offenders; he has also championed legislation that would improve safety by bringing jobs and businesses to economically depressed areas; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the National Rainbow-PUSH Coalition, where he is able to expand his commitment to social justice, economic and educational equality, and civil rights; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks has received awards from the Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, and the Illinois Farm Bureau for his outstanding service; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks is blessed with his wife and partner, Jamell, as well as 4 children and one grandchild; and

WHEREAS, Senator Meeks' service to the 15th Legislative District and to the citizens of Illinois displays the utmost integrity, courage, and dedication; establishing a standard of virtue to be observed by all; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank Senator James T. Meeks for his years of service to the people of Illinois and honor him with this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Senator James Meeks as a symbol of our gratitude and with our best wishes for his future endeavors.