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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Bishop Eddie Lee Hightower, who passed
4away on August 8, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower was born in Gobler, Missouri on
6August 1, 1956; he was raised in Alton, Illinois; he received
7his bachelor's degree in business administration from Eureka
8College; he spent time in Chicago and California, before
9settling in Fayetteville, North Carolina; he participated in
10several professional development programs; he was presented
11with an honorary doctorate from Jacksonville Baptist
12Theological Seminary; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower was a visionary and strategic
14leader who seamlessly translated business strategies into
15tangible successes; with an impeccable understanding of policy
16and procedures within the mental health industry, he founded
17Advance Behavioral Center, Inc. in 2008, where his leadership
18ensured compliance, quality, and ethical practices; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower was devoted to his faith,
20becoming a minister in September 1991; he was ordained under
21the guidance of Rev. John McKoy of Spring Lake Missionary
22Baptist (MB) Church; he served as a deacon before becoming the

 

 

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1esteemed pastor of New Salem International Ministries,
2spearheading its growth and transformation into a
3multimillion-dollar operation; from the inception of New Salem
4MB Church, he nurtured it with care through successes and
5challenges, adopting a five-fold plan of worship, study,
6prayer, fasting, and community engagement; his ministry also
7extended to helping the marginalized through offering
8transitional housing for the homeless and a visionary
9immigration program; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower served as the first presiding
11bishop of the International Kingdom Covenant Churches and the
12presiding bishop of the Trimm Global Network of Churches; he
13was a lifetime member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower was a doting husband and father,
15and he shared with family his passion for coaching basketball,
16western TV shows, and Doberman Pinschers; his role extended
17beyond his immediate family, embracing the congregation he
18led; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower was a mental health advocate,
20entrepreneur, and community leader; his legacy extends through
21the lives he touched, the values he instilled, and the faith he
22lived; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower was preceded in death by his
2parents, Edward Hightower and Daisie Hightower Robinson; his
3stepfather, Tom Robinson; his stepfather-in-law, Chauncey
4Gilbert Jr.; and his father-in-law, Edward Ford; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bishop Hightower was the husband of Lady April
6Dawn Hightower; the father of Tiffany Hightower, Eric
7Hightower, Emily Wright, James Wright IV, John Michael Wright,
8and Ebony Dawn Hightower; the brother of Josephine Scruggs,
9Edward (Barbara) Hightower, Calvin (Barbara) Hightower,
10Clarence (Beverly) Hightower, Robert Hightower, Andy
11(Charlotte) Hightower, and Joanne (Bobby) Hightower-Thomas;
12the son-in-law of Caroline Gilbert; the in-law of Chauncey
13(Michelle) Gilbert, Kim (Philander) Gilbert-Hughes, Kevin
14(Charlece) Gilbert, Keith (Felicia) Gilbert, Denice (Phillip)
15Sartor, and Evangelone (DaRon) Rackley; the grandfather of
16Eric Hightower Jr., Emira Hightower, Kalynn Hightower, Cameron
17Henry Williams, and Emani Hightower; and the uncle and cousin
18of many; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
20ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
21Bishop Eddie Lee Hightower and extend our sincere condolences
22to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
23it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Bishop Hightower as an expression
3of our deepest sympathy.