SR0606 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0606 LRB093 22564 HSS 52128 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Kenneth A. Whitney of Evanston on Friday, June 4, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Whitney received a bachelor's degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.; on June 28, 1969, he married Eleanor Sloan, whom he met while at Howard; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Whitney received his law degree from Northwestern University's School of Law in 1972; he began his legal career at the law firm of Jenner and Block; he subsequently served as chief counsel for the Department of General Services for the State of Illinois during Governor Dan Walker's administration; and

WHEREAS, For 23 years, Mr. Whitney served as in-house legal counsel for Motorola Inc. in Schaumburg, where he retired as a senior attorney in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to a life of service, enrichment, and empowerment, Mr. Whitney served on various boards and organizations in the Evanston community, where he was recognized often for his contributions; he served on the District 65 School Board from 1991 until 1995, also serving for a time as its president; during his tenure on the board, he took a strong stand for quality education in racially balanced settings; and

WHEREAS, In December of 1992, Mr. Whitney and his colleagues reaffirmed the district's long-standing policy on racial balancing in the schools; the vote was aimed at putting to rest an argument from parents calling for the loosening of the district's desegregation policy in the interest of maintaining neighborhood schools; and

WHEREAS, Genealogical research was one of Mr. Whitney's passions, and he left a rich historical legacy for his family; he also inspired and guided others in their efforts to research their family history; he was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and was active for many years in the Evanston alumni chapter; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Kenneth A. Whitney has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Eleanor; his sons Ryan and Scott; his mother, Lurnetta Whitney; his brothers Timothy (Jan), John (Elizabeth), and Thomas (Marion); his sister Barbara Penn; and his many nieces, nephews and other relatives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Kenneth A. Whitney, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Kenneth A. Whitney as an expression of our deepest sympathy.