HR0576 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0576 LRB097 14288 KXB 59102 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Vergil Kenneth Brown, Jr. of Chicago, who passed away on August 20, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown, also known as V.K. or Ken, was born on November 7, 1927 in Chicago, the son of V.K. and Floy Brown; and

WHEREAS, Until he found his life's calling, he had many great experiences, spending time as a taxi driver, in the United States Navy, and in the meat industry; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown ultimately found his passion for physics, teaching the subject for more than 25 years on Chicago's South Side at Bogan High School, Morgan Park High School, South Shore High School, and Lindblom Math and Science Academy (formerly known as Lindblom Technical High School), making the subject interesting for his students, inspiring them, and urging them to find their own enjoyment in the subject by saying "take physics, you'll feel better"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown worked to make the world a better place by getting involved in civic issues and fighting for the rights of his fellow educators and students of all ages; he helped to develop Chicago's magnet school system, served as the Chair of the Chicago Teachers Union Political Action Committee, and was a long-time editor for the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown will be most remembered for his kind heart and wonderful sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, Vergil Kenneth Brown, Jr. is survived by his wife of 37 years, Elizabeth (Betty); his sons, Gil (Jane Park) and Steve (Takako Kato); his brother, Jim; his sister, Margaret; his grandchildren, Lindsay, Nina, and Ann; his sons' mother, Charlotte Shivvers; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Vergil Kenneth Brown, Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Vergil Kenneth Brown, Jr. as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.