SR0209 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0209 LRB098 11615 MST 43981 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Erma Bridgewater of Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater (nee Scott) was born to Ray and Sarah Scott; she graduated from Champaign High School in 1931 and studied sociology at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1937; she married Cecil Bridgewater in 1941; and

WHEREAS, After graduating college, Erma Bridgewater was hired as the first co-director of the Douglass Community Center on the University of Illinois campus; she left to raise her children and returned to the position of director from 1955 to 1962; she worked for a time at the Urbana Courier as a proofreader and for the City of Champaign, first in urban renewal and later community development; and

WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater received many honors through the years; she was named a "living legend" by Project 500, a group of 500 African Americans who were recruited to attend the University of Illinois 3 decades after she did; Bethel AME Church proclaimed one Sunday as "Mrs. B. Day" and former Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart gave her the key to the city; and

WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater enjoyed jazz and was a member and piano player for Bethel AME Church; as a teenager, she played piano in a teen jazz combo her father had founded; and

WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 58 years, Cecil; and

WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater is survived by her children, Ron, Cecil, and Cassandra "Cassie"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Erma Bridgewater, and we 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 Erma Bridgewater as an expression of our deepest sympathy.