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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Seymour L. Bryson of Carbondale, who
4passed away on May 5, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson was born in Quincy on September 8,
61937; he earned a bachelor's degree in social work in 1959, a
7master's degree in rehabilitation counseling in 1961, and a
8doctorate in education in 1972, all from Southern Illinois
9University Carbondale (SIUC); he attended SIUC on a basketball
10scholarship and enjoyed a record-setting playing career; he
11still holds the school's rebounding record; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson retired from SIU as the associate
13chancellor for diversity in 2008, after four decades of
14dedicated service to his alma mater; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson was a leader in SIU's efforts
16towards diversity; he helped bring approximately $50 million in
17external grants to SIU; he was sought as a consultant and has
18numerous published works to his credit; he was very active in
19community service, including serving as president of the
20Carbondale chapter of the NAACP, member and chair of the
21Diversifying Faculty Initiative, president of the Jackson
22County 708 Mental Health Board, and president and member of the

 

 

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1board of directors of the Carbondale United Way; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson received numerous awards and
3honors; he received the Senator Emil Jones Mentoring Award, the
4Introspect Access Award, the Distinguished Service Award from
5the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education,
6the School of Social Work Alumni Achievement Award, the Black
7Affairs Council Roby Given Award, the Iota Phi Theta Community
8Service Award, and the Lindell W. Sturgis Memorial Award; he
9was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association
10Hall of Fame in 1992; he is also an inductee of the Quincy High
11School and SIU Halls of Fame; he was honored for his
12humanitarian impact by receiving the 2019 SIU Distinguished
13Alumni Award; he was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi
14Fraternity, Inc.; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson's family meant more to him than any
16professional accomplishment; he was known as "Pops" and made
17sure that his grandchildren had fond memories of visits to
18Turley and Castle Parks, Dairy Queen on the strip, countless
19snow cones in the summertime, and movies at AMC; he influenced
20their love of reading and learning through regular trips to
21Barnes & Noble; his friends and family often referred to him as
22the amateur Gordon Parks because of his love of photography,
23and he was seldom without his camera, capturing all of the
24precious moments of his children's and grandchildren's lives;

 

 

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1and
 
2    WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson was preceded in death by his
3mother, Claudine Jackson; his grandmother, Hettie Nixon; his
4brother, Edgar Bryson; and his sister, Hettie Knaff; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Seymour Bryson is survived by his wife of 59
6years, Marjorie Bryson; his son, Todd Bryson; his daughters,
7Robin Bryson and Keri (Stephen) Burns; his grandchildren,
8Jordan Bryson, Keric Young, Kendall Young, Adrian Bryson,
9Francesca Sanchez, Fernando Sanchez, and Isaiah Burns; his
10sisters, Susie Barnes, Janice Bryson, and Carol (Paul) Henry;
11his brother, Raymond (Cynthia) Bryson; and numerous nieces,
12nephews, and dear friends; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Seymour L. Bryson and extend our sincere condolences to his
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
17further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Seymour Bryson as an expression of
20our deepest sympathy.