SR1655 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1655 LRB099 21100 MST 46312 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Henry English, a beloved citizen, faithful man of God, prominent black philanthropic leader, and civic and community activist, who passed away on March 5, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Henry English was born in West Point, Mississippi on May 27, 1942; and

WHEREAS, Henry English, as a young adult, moved to Chicago's west side with his family, who came north to explore better opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Henry English attended Holland elementary school and graduated from Farragut High School and the former Crane Junior College, where he led the triumphant movement to change the name from Crane Junior College to Malcolm X College; he continued pivotal work in this area from 1968 to 1971; after Malcolm X College, he matriculated at Bachelor University in Durham New Hampshire, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1972; he then earned his Master of Public Administration in 1974 from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; and

WHEREAS, Henry English was a recognized leader in the black liberation movement in Chicago and will be remembered as an important Chicago leader; he was the founder and first President of Chicago City College student government, and eventually a leader in the Black Panther Party; throughout his entire life, he was a key strategic force behind many causes, campaigns, and social and economic justice issues; and

WHEREAS, Henry English amassed over 45 years of diversified management, in the health care, education and fund development fields; he rose to become a nationally recognized and respected not-for-profit association executive, as President and CEO of the Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc. (BUFI); founded in 1985 to promote black philanthropy, self-help, community, and economic development; BUFI serves as one of his crowning professional achievements; the organization and social movement is committed to the improvement of the quality of life of African Americans through reliance on self-help, mutual aid, and volunteerism at the local community level; a pillar of the community, BUFI also provides grants, technical assistance, and support services to over 700 grassroots organizations and programs statewide that address critical needs of the African American community; and

WHEREAS, Henry English spent his entire life answering the clarion call to community service in the African American communities; while many people talk about doing something great during their time on earth, he quickly dispensed with the empty rhetoric and instead delivered results, remaining steadfastly dedicated to creating major political, social, economic, and philanthropic changes in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Henry English was instrumental in The Coalition to Save South Shore Country Club, which helped to transform the once exclusive South Shore Country Club, once scheduled for demolition, into today's South Shore Cultural Center, a public facility and historic south lakefront architectural jewel that provides a range of programs and services for the community; he was also instrumental in the reorganization of South Shore High School into four small schools, and was recently involved in the development of the new South Shore International College Prep High School, lending his leadership and expertise to promote high quality academic environments of our youth; and

WHEREAS, Henry English was a vital, dynamic, yet soft-spoken freedom-fighter, who was never boring and people who underestimated him often discovered that they made a big mistake; he was a social justice advocate, and a perpetually progressively active and respectable citizen who resided in his beloved South Shore community for over 40 years: he was a loyal and faithful member of Christ Bible Church; and

WHEREAS, Henry English was an affectionate and supportive man, a true friend indeed, who gave selflessly of his time and energy to family members, friends, and neighbors alike; he maintained an incredible and international network of close friends and professional associates, who felt privileged to know him; always nurturing the next generation of leaders, he was especially proud of a forever growing group 'great-god-sons', whom he mentored; he will be sorely missed, but the memory of his character, intelligence, and compassion will live on in all those who knew and worked alongside, respected and loved him; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that mourn the passing of Henry English and extend our sincere condolences to his family and extended family, friends, neighbors, and activists across Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Henry English as an expression of our deepest sympathy.