SR0971 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0971 LRB099 14147 MST 38188 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Hattie Hill of Chicago, who passed away on July 12, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Hattie Hill was born in Tunica, Mississippi on November 6, 1917 to Robert, Sr. and Florence Jagers; during her childhood years, she moved to Arkansas to live with her grandparents Abe and Sophie; she married Solomon Hill in 1934, and they settled in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago in 1936; and

WHEREAS, Hattie Hill was known for hand-making corsages, boutonnieres, hats, shawls, and shoes; she worked briefly at RR Donnelley and, later, the Abraham Lincoln Center; she was a community activist in Ida B. Wells and had a long-standing relationship with the 2nd Ward Democratic Organization, where she was a precinct captain; she was known for hosting dinner parties, where some of Chicago's premier politicians and activists of the time attended, including Richard J. Daley, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer, John H. Stroger, Hon. Eugene Pincham, Al Prichard, Chuck Bowen, Renault Robinson, Rev. George Clements, and Dick Gregory; and

WHEREAS, Hattie Hill worked for the City of Chicago's Department of Human Services as a social worker and servant to the people of Englewood; the signature program she developed with seniors took her around the world; she was commissioned to organize a senior group trip to Africa (Kenya), Europe (London), and the Bahamas (Nassau); she also arranged local outings to many theater productions; she received many honors, awards, and letters of commendation; and

WHEREAS, Hattie Hill decided to go back to school to further her education at Wilson Junior College at age 62; she loved her garden of beautiful flowers and impressive array of vegetables and herbs; she loved to play the card game pitty-pat and watch TV game shows and the sitcom The Golden Girls; she had fun and games with her grandchildren and took them to camps, the race track, and concerts; she had a group of girlfriends that called themselves "the go-go girls"; she and her husband enjoyed traveling and took many road trips, making frequent visits to family and friends around the country; one of their favorite locations to visit was Hot Springs, Arkansas; for many years, she organized group trips to Dubuque, Iowa for the dog races and to Las Vegas casinos; she was known for her annual trips to the Kentucky Derby, which she started in 1969 until the 1990s; she organized as many as 7 buses to the Derby; she was also the co-founder of the 7200 South Calumet Block Club; and

WHEREAS, Hattie Hill and her husband were members of Holy Angels Parish and served with the Blessed Sacrament Society and Knights of Peter Claver; they enjoyed dancing and music; and

WHEREAS, Hattie Hill was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Robert Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Hattie Hill leaves to cherish her memory: husband, Solomon (preceded her in death); sons, Aaron, Solomon Jr., Vincent, and Michael (preceded her in death); daughters, Renee Strowhorn-Armer, Cecilia Peeler, and Michele Pondexter (Charles); 24 grandchildren, Dwayne, Aaron "Ricky", Daveda (preceded her in death), Mark Ivory, Ahmed, Vonzelle, Solomon III, Michael (Andrea), Steven, Dion Sr., Cecilia (Darryl), Malik, Sharien, Ottro, Jaylen, Sarah, Khaliq, Tonya (Marcus), Vincent, Melissa, Paul (Wendy), Kimberly (Marcus), Erika, and Monika; 26 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephew, Robbie, Bettie, Florence, Kitty, Joey, and Mary and Barbara (who preceded her in death); daughters-in-law, Margie, Barbara (deceased), Erma, Carolyn, Joyce, and Cheryl; loving Godson, Frederick Dunson; long-time friend, Dorothy Kennedy; and many cousins, nieces, in-laws, friends, and neighbors; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Hattie Hill, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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