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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans
3will present the annual "Dante Award" on May 17, 2012 to Stella
4Foster, columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times; and
 
5    WHEREAS, "Stella's Column," which debuted in the Chicago
6Sun-Times on December 2, 2003, is one of the newspaper's most
7popular columns; the column's popularity is a testimony to its
8writer, Chicago journalist Stella Foster, who has enjoyed a
9career as a writer, broadcaster, and as the long-time assistant
10to the late Irv Kupcinet; "Stella's Column," which runs every
11Tuesday and Thursday, reflects Stella's personality, zest for
12life, compassion, and love of people; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The column is multiethnic, multigenerational, and
14covers a broad interest base; it also publicizes charitable
15events, particularly those that benefit causes that are close
16to her heart, like child abuse, teenage pregnancy, and women's
17issues; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Her current status as a highly-respected
19journalist began in August of 1969 when her sister told her
20that the legendary Irv Kupcinet was looking for a new
21secretary; she interviewed for the position and was hired; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, For 34 years, she was Kup's assistant, confidante,
2organizer, and the glue that kept the column alive and vibrant;
3her writing career was officially launched in the mid 1980s,
4when her brother-in-law approached her about writing for Sister
52 Sister, a national entertainment magazine; without the
6benefit of formal journalistic training, she penned the monthly
7entertainment column titled "Starlights by Stella" that
8featured celebrity news; and
 
9    WHEREAS, When the Sun-Times' editorial page featured
10Personal Views, she contributed and expounded on a variety of
11topics that piqued readers' curiosity and elicited diverse
12opinions; she took her "act" to television when Fox News
13approached her about being a morning commentator; the weekly
14segment, titled, "Stella Sez," featured a mix of newsy nuggets
15that captivated viewers during the year it was on the air; and
 
16    WHEREAS, As Kup began to age, his health began to
17deteriorate and he was in the office less frequently; to keep
18the column alive, she began assuming the bulk of the writing
19duties; the Sun-Times recognized her contribution by giving her
20a byline at the end of the column, and eventually gave her
21co-writing credits; when Kup died on November 10, 2003, she was
22widely heralded as one of the women behind his success; and
 
23    WHEREAS, She is a humanitarian who promotes organizations

 

 

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1whose missions parallel causes that are dear to her heart; she
2uses the power and pull of her column to galvanize her readers
3and friends around these issues; she has been profiled in
4Chicago Magazine, Today's Chicago Woman, N'Digo Magapaper,
5Rolling Out, and the Chicago Defender; and
 
6    WHEREAS, She is the recipient of numerous awards including
7the "Promises Fulfilled Award" from South Central Community
8Services, a Communications Award from the 100 Black Men of
9Chicago, the Archibald Motley Excellence in Arts Award from the
10Englewood Committee, Mt. Sinai's Parenting Institute's African
11Village Award, the Torch for Journalism from Sigma Gamma Rho
12Sorority, the "Making A Difference Award" from the Rainbow PUSH
13Coalition as a Woman of Distinction, the State of Illinois
14African-American Media Award from the Illinois Secretary of
15State's Office, the African-American History Service Award
16from Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, the A. Philip Randolph
17Gentle Warrior Award, and the "Shero" Award for Career
18Achievement from NABFEME; and
 
19    WHEREAS, She has been saluted by the Midwest Radio and
20Music Association, hailed as a "Phenomenal Woman" by the Expo
21for Today's Black Woman, and earned awards from the Chicago
22Black Public Relations Society and the National Council of
23Negro Women; she was also presented the Irv Kupcinet Media
24Giant Award, named in honor of her late friend and mentor; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, She is a member of the Chicago Association of
2Black Journalists, the Association of Women Journalists, the
3Press Club, the Chicago Journalists Association, and the
4Chicago Press Veterans; she has appeared on WVON, and has been
5a guest on numerous other media outlets; she enjoys reading,
6watching television, dancing, and listening to rhythm and
7blues; she also enjoys downtime with her family, whom she
8values and cherishes; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we congratulate Stella Foster on being named the recipient of
12the 2012 Dante Award, presented by the Joint Civic Committee of
13Italian Americans, for her dedication, service, and
14inspiration in the field of reporting; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to Stella Foster as a symbol our respect and esteem.