SR0530 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0530 LRB100 12873 MST 26638 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Donald Marion Pedro M.D. of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro was born in New York City, New York to George and Georgie Pedro on July 7, 1929; he attended Brooklyn College from 1947 to 1948 and graduated from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania in 1951 with a degree in biology; he graduated from Howard University Medical School in 1955 and served an internship at Harlem Hospital in New York City; he married Dolores Massey; and

WHEREAS, After his internship, Dr. Pedro served as a "Jumping Doctor" in the United States Army with the 82nd Medical Company, 82nd Airborne Division out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina from 1957 until 1959 when he was honorably discharged; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro returned home and established his practice in Morgan Park on the far south side of Chicago; in 1975, he relocated to South Halsted and named it the Morgan Park Medical Center; he was the only physician in the Chicago area to continue making house calls long after the service was considered obsolete; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro married Lorraine Baskerville in 1966, Elaine Sharon Davis in 1986, and Isabel G. Henderson in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro supported the Jackie Robinson West Little League and its annual parade; he participated annually in the Phoebe's Place Health Fair at the Maple Park United Methodist Church and the Gatling's Chapel Annual Fest; and

WHEREAS, In the 1996 and 2000 Presidential Elections, Dr. Pedro was appointed by then-Illinois Senate Democratic Leader, Emil Jones Jr. to serve as a member of the Electoral College; in October of 2000, Halsted Street between 111th and 112th streets was honorably named "Dr. Donald M. Pedro Way"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro was an active member of the Midwest Bridge Unit, where he served as president and was honored in 2005 with a Life Membership Award from the American Bridge Association, the association's highest recognition; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro retired from his practice in 2008; he enjoyed fishing, photography, traveling, and spending time with his family; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pedro leaves to cherish his memory, his only sister, Laura (Carol) [Kevin, Marla, Paul]; his children, Donald Jr. (Alese) [Portia, Allison], Bruce (LaJuan) [Romani, Charldon], Patrice, Anthony (Heather) [Airikka, Christopher, Shirvonne, Shadaia], Sharon [Kenneth, Lorraine], Ishida (Jim) [Sherida, Dionna, John, Nathanael, Krystle, Kristina], James [Shannea], Riccardo [Rickya], Garnett, Valerie [Riccardo, Martell, Marquis, Ashley], Laura [Geordon, Goldyn], and Donna; his bonus children, Donielle, Christopher, Natalie, Victoria, and Michelle (Charles); and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Donald Marion Pedro M.D., 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 Dr. Pedro as an expression of our deepest sympathy.