HR1301 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1301 LRB098 23006 MST 61966 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Leroy Thomas Harris of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Harris was born in Chicago on July 9, 1945 to Melvina Rita Thompson and Leroy Harris; he graduated from Hyde Park High School (now Hyde Park Academy) in the spring of 1965 and enlisted in the United States Army in August; he was stationed in Vietnam, where he saw combat and served as a military police officer; he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal; while in the service, he also performed as part of a dance troupe to entertain the troops; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Harris worked for the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for over 24 years; he started out on foot patrol and retired as a Homicide Detective Sergeant; he also worked as a real estate broker, selling homes to mayors, local politicians, police officers, friends, and family; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Harris relocated to Chicago in 1992 and married his high school sweetheart, Marcia; he retired from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office; he also worked as a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Harris was well-known for his barbeque, spaghetti with neck bones, crab cakes, and gumbo and loved to dance; for many years he served as a Trustee at New Christian Valley Full Gospel Baptist Church in South Holland; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Harris is survived by his wife, Marcia; his mother, Melvina Rita Storrs; 3 daughters, Kimberly Fulks (William), Kelli Harris, and Salli Whitfield (Dondre); 2 sons, Kevin Harris and Naland Best (Sharice); one brother, Harold Wymbs (Cassandra); 4 sisters, Lada Harland (Shawn), Shirley James (Clarence), Wylette Collins, and Patricia McAfee; 10 grandchildren, Stacey, Kevin Michael, Kayla, Camille, Alonzo, Kaleb, Parker, Damarion, Dre, and Zaland; 2 aunts, Clara Lee and Ora Belle Wilson; 2 godchildren, Julian and Kelsie Bowers; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leroy Thomas Harris, 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 Leroy Harris as an expression of our deepest sympathy.