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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are deeply
3saddened to learn of the death of our friend and fellow
4legislator, State Representative Eddie P. Washington of
5Waukegan and Lake County, who passed away on June 5, 2010; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Eddie Washington was born in St. Louis, Missouri
7on June 8, 1953; he grew up in East St. Louis, taking great
8pride and inspiration in the number of East St. Louisans who
9made major contributions to American arts, letters, science,
10sports, and civic life; he moved to Waukegan in 1985 and
11quickly became known as a passionate advocate for equal rights
12and for helping marginalized groups gain empowerment through
13the political process; and
 
14    WHEREAS, He was educated in the public schools of East St.
15Louis and received a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois
16University at Edwardsville and East St. Louis, majoring in
17political science and journalism; he was also a graduate of the
18College of Lake County; and
 
19    WHEREAS, He was a trailblazer for African Americans across
20Illinois and in Lake County; a plaintiff in a federal court
21case, Washington vs. Walker (1975), he was subsequently
22credited with breaking down institutional barriers that had

 

 

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1kept blacks, Latinos, and women from gainful employment as
2Illinois State Police officers; he began his long road of
3public service in 1986 as a precinct committeeman; he started
4the first African American Police League of Waukegan and North
5Chicago, became the first African American to be elected
6Trustee of the North Shore Sanitary District, and the first to
7serve as Chairman of the Waukegan Democratic Organization; in
82002, he became the first African American State legislator
9elected from Lake County and was re-elected three times; and he
10was a member of the Legislative Black Caucus; and
 
11    WHEREAS, He spent decades working with community
12organizations in the Metro East and Northeastern Illinois, even
13founding his own activist group, P.O.W.E.R. (People Organized
14Working for Equal Respect); he collaborated closely with the
15Lake County NAACP to improve the quality of life for local
16residents; he was a stalwart ally of the John Howard
17Association and supported its efforts to provide more humane
18living conditions for the incarcerated and to equip them with
19skills needed to become contributing members of society after
20their release; and
 
21    WHEREAS, He served as the Director of Employment and
22Economic Development for the Lake County Urban League,
23solidifying his commitment to the cause of prosperity through
24job creation; he was an active voice to encourage new

 

 

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1businesses to open in North Chicago and Waukegan, particularly
2in the Tenth Street Corridor; he promoted the development of
3green jobs and was outspoken on the need for Illinois to become
4a leader in renewable energy; and
 
5    WHEREAS, He was a deeply religious man; he was baptized and
6joined the Straightway Baptist Church under the leadership of
7Reverend Toliver and was called later in life to the Nation of
8Islam through the guidance of Minister Louis Farrakhan; and
 
9    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his father, Edward E.
10Washington, Sr.; and his brother, David C. Washington; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Representative Eddie Washington is survived by
12his wife, Flor D'Luis Washington; his three sons, Albert Aziz
13(Sandreika) Moore, Malik (Mikell) Moore, and Elias Washington;
14his four daughters, Tikisha (Lawrence) Johnson, Kieanda Moore,
15Asiah Rose Washington, and Raquela Washington; his mother, Rose
16Washington; his two brothers, Edward E. Washington, Jr. and
17Kevin D. Washington; his 10 grandchildren; as well as many
18aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and his passing will be
19felt by his constituents in the 60th House District; therefore,
20be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with

 

 

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1his friends, family, and constituents, the passing of State
2Representative Eddie P. Washington; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of State Representative Eddie
5Washington as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.