SR0217 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Paul Simmons Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. was born on May 10, 1993, in Chicago; his parents were Vera Angion-Simmons and Paul Simmons Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. attended Bunnyland Daycare until he graduated from kindergarten; at the age of six, he tried his hand in acting by auditioning for a production of The Lion King; he started his educational career at St. Margaret of Scotland Elementary School, where he attended from 1st to 4th grade; after attending Basil Elementary School for 5th through 7th grade, he returned to St. Margaret, where he graduated in 2007; he then graduated from Marist Catholic High School, where he was a captain of the varsity basketball team; he was planning to attend Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama on a full basketball scholarship at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. was a member of the Boy Scouts for many years; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. worked at the Chicago Park District Seasonal Division as a landscaper; he also worked with Sports 37 throughout his school years; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. competed in the AAU National basketball league, which took him all over the United States; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. loved to be around his family and friends, especially his favorite cousin, Edward Simmons Jr.; his greatest desire was to attend college, where he wanted to major in business finance and continue his passion of playing basketball; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Dorothy Angion and Annie Simmons, and his sister, Shikinna Hall; and

WHEREAS, Paul Simmons Jr. is survived by his parents; his sisters, Qiana Simmons, Shouna "Doo Doo" Angion, and Dorothy Angion; his nieces, Toyette Hall and Alyssa "Suga Mama" McKinney; his nephew, Alfonso "AJ" McKinney Jr.; his great-nephew, Brian Hall; his favorite cousin, Yolanda Wortman; his girlfriend, Kayla King; and his many uncles, aunts, cousins, family, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Paul Simmons Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Paul Simmons Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.