SR0438 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0438 LRB095 14600 KXB 40513 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph O. Madison of Alton, who passed away on November 14, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Madison was born October 11, 1936, in Alton to Carrol and Sophie (Smith) Madison; he and his wife, the former Ruby Parker, were married in 1971; and

WHEREAS, He was a United States Army veteran and was retired from Labor Local 218 of Godfrey; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Madison was a member of Dunbar Masonic Lodge 97, he was grandmaster of the Masons, Illinois Edgar Falconer in 1977, and a member of Tyree Consistory 64 and Ahmes Shriners Temple 132; he was a member of the United Supreme Council of the 33rd degree of Masonry Scottish Rites, Allen Bevenue American Legion Post 354, and served as chairman of the Black United Christian Front Organization; he was a member of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, and he served three years of community service on the community board of Better Homes for Alton; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Madison was appointed to sit on the board of the Legal Aid Society by attorney Clayton Williams; he was signatory to former Governor Ogilvie on an agreement to train blacks for road work; he worked with the late Reverend Carl Bradshaw; he was involved in breaking down Jim Crow practices in the area; he was involved in the march against police brutality; and he was involved in the boycott of Sears Department Store; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Eric, Albert Lee, Ervin, Richard, Carl, Charlie, and Ronnie Madison; three sisters, Georgia Madison, Norma Madison Smith, and Mary Madison Lacey; and a son, Robert Phillips; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, surviving are five children, David Piggee, Joseph Fuller, Vincent Pope, Anthony Jones and Mary Mitchell; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and special children, Margaret Ndyaiye, Bessie Bell, Christine Rhea, Albert Fuller and Charles Fuller; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Joseph Madison; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph Madison as a symbol of our sympathy.