HR0949 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0949 LRB101 23334 LAW 74508 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Donnie Allen Kirksey, who passed away on December 28, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey was born in Chicago on March 31, 1963; he graduated from Parkside Elementary School in 1977 and Chicago Vocational High School in 1981, where he was an outstanding basketball and football player from 1977 to 1981; he earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from Roosevelt University in 1985; he earned a Certificate in Sports and Entertainment Law; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey worked for Nike, Reebok, and Adidas; he served as an assistant coach at DePaul University, Chicago State University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago; at the time of his death, he was serving as the administrator of Culture and Climate and the head basketball coach at Chicago Vocational High School, where he was responsible for maintaining a positive atmosphere and ensuring the safety of over 900 students; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey received a number of accolades during his career, including the Saving Black Males/Par Excellence in Education Award in June 2009 and the Chicago Region IBCA Coach of the Year Award in 2010; he was featured as one of America's Best and Brightest Young Business and Professional Men in Dollars & Sense magazine in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey will be remembered for assisting and mentoring a multitude of young men in their journeys toward enrolling in institutions of higher learning, where many engaged in a variety of basketball programs and graduated from various colleges; he enjoyed serving at his church; he was a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Kirksey enjoyed caring for his wife Dionne, his daughter Nadia, his grandson Kahliel, and his dog Dior; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Donnie Allen Kirksey and 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 Donnie Allen Kirksey as an expression of our deepest sympathy.