HR0701 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0701 LRB094 12814 CSA 47658 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Howard Haley of Chicago, the founder and executive director of Jackie Robinson West Little League, on June 13, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Haley was born October 24, 1933, in Enoch, Louisiana, the only child of Lucille Bailey Clark and Mayshell Clark; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Bogalusa, Louisiana; he later joined Beth Eden Baptist Church in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, At Central High School, Joseph Haley was an honor student and president of the student council and enjoyed playing basketball and baseball; he had a passion for sports from an early age and was committed to a lifetime of playing sports and organizing and managing teams; after graduating, he received a basketball scholarship to Grambling State University but chose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force; after his tour of duty, he enrolled in Grambling State University and received a B.S. degree in physical education; he later graduated from DePaul University with a M.A. degree in Administration and Guidance; and

WHEREAS, He married Annie Brown and they had three children, William, Richard (deceased), and Joseph; and

WHEREAS, He was employed by the Chicago Board of Education; in 1971, he founded the Jackie Robinson West Little League (JRW), a world-class youth program that has been a gateway for wholesome recreation, positive influence, leadership training, and self-confidence for thousands of youth; over the last 35 years, Joseph Haley led JRW to 18 State Championships, participated in five World Series Championships, one United States Championship, seven Regional Championships, and won over 75 District 4 Championships; and

WHEREAS, His devotion, determination, love, passion, loyalty, guidance, never-quit spirit, and the legacy he established and the impact he made in the lives of so many will be forever remembered; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Joseph Howard Haley is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife of 43 years and 10 months, Annie; his children, William (Sharon) and Joseph Glenn (Rona); his grandchildren, Jessica, Jazmine, Adam, and Joshua; his adopted sister, Rosemarie Ingram; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Veola, Earl (Sherman), Hazel (Dennis), Gloria (Melvin), and Edward (Mary); his 14 nieces and nephews, his 15 great-nieces and nephews; his many cousins and other relatives and friends; his Jackie Robinson West family; and his team, the Little League Dodgers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joseph Howard Haley and extend to his family and friends our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time; and be it further

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