HR0830 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0830 LRB098 20099 MST 55365 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, During Black History Month it is important to recognize those within the African American community who contributed to the betterment of the State; and

WHEREAS, Wyvetter H. Younge (August 23, 1930 - December 26, 2008) was a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 114th District from 1975 until 2008; she served as the Assistant Majority Leader and was a member of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus; and

WHEREAS, Wyvetter H. Younge earned her Bachelor of Science from the Hampton Institute, her Juris Doctor from the Saint Louis University School of Law, and her Master of Law from the Washington University School of Law; she was a former Assistant Circuit Attorney for the City of St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Wyvetter H. Younge was married to Richard G. Younge, also an attorney, and they had 3 children, Ruth (deceased), Torque, and Margaret, and 2 step-sons, Richard Younge, Jr. and Roland Younge; her daughter, Margaret, said that her mother drove 90 minutes each way to Springfield every day so she could see her children in the mornings and evenings; and

WHEREAS, Wyvetter H. Younge was one of the longest-serving members of the Illinois House; her legislative priorities included urban renewal, substance abuse treatment, services for the homeless, and economic development; she was a public servant dedicated to equality and community progress; she received the "Best Legislator" award from the United Auto Workers in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Wyvetter H. Younge was a loyal believer in education and economic development, fighting hard to keep the community college in East St. Louis and to bring the Casino Queen there, and for any cause that would help her district; and

WHEREAS, Wyvetter H. Younge set the framework for Illinois's Homeless Bill of Rights; she sponsored House Bill 4116 in 2004, which passed the House of Representatives but did not receive a vote in the Senate; it contained several provisions that are now law, including the right for homeless people to access emergency medical care, the right to vote, and the privacy of personal records; and

WHEREAS, Wyvetter H. Younge's dedication and hard work for the people of her district, and on a larger scale - the contributions she has made for the advancement of African Americans in government, deserves to be remembered; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that during Black History Month, we recognize the late State Representative Wyvetter H. Younge for the all she has done; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Wyvetter H. Younge as an expression of our esteem and respect.