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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Sam Polk of Peoria, who passed away on
4September 17, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Sam Polk was born in Memphis, Tennessee to
6Charlie and Nellie Jane (Jones) Polk on March 6, 1935 and
7received his early education in the Memphis school system; he
8moved to the Peoria area in the 1940s and attended Greenley
9and, later, Woodruff High School; he was a Boy Scout at Carver
10Center, Troop 38; he was inducted into the U.S. Army on March
1115, 1955 and honorably served his country, including time
12spent in the Army Reserve, until March 15, 1963; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Sam Polk worked for the Peoria Public Works
14Department for over 45 years; he served as a supervisor and
15retired in 2002; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Sam Polk began serving the Peoria community
17through the National Association for the Advancement of
18Colored People (NAACP) local branch; as vice president, he
19advocated for equal employment opportunities for minorities,
20justice, voting rights, and overall basic human rights through
21peaceful boycotts, demonstrations, and organization; he
22volunteered and advocated for equality and had been a lifetime

 

 

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1member of the NAACP since the 1950s; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Sam Polk was a former member of the Henry Brown
3Lodge PHA and member of the Peoria Tri-County Urban League's
4Guild; through the Tri-County Urban League, he supported the
5city's youth and the Scientists, Technicians and Managers
6Program; he also supported the Carver Center and served on the
7committee to reopen the center after its 2011 closure, which
8resulted in its reopening in 2013; and
 
9    WHEREAS, In his retirement, Sam Polk served as a mentor to
10a number of young men, teaching them work ethics, goal
11setting, financial management through stipends, decision
12making, character building, community involvement, and skill
13development through apprenticeship opportunities; he enjoyed
14supporting worthy causes, people, and organizations; he was
15always willing to give a hand to those willing to take a step;
16he contributed to many notable organizations, including the
17Heritage Ensemble, St. Martin De Porres Boy Scout Troop, local
18food pantries, Girl Scouts, St. Jude, Susan B. Komen, and The
19Whitney M. Young Jr. annual events; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Sam Polk had an amazing sense of humor, and he
21loved jazz music, especially albums by Myles Davis; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Sam Polk was preceded in death by his parents;

 

 

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1his daughter, Sheryl Gulley; his brother, James Polk; his
2grandson, Jonathan; and his nephew, Kevin Polk; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Sam Polk is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jean
4A. Polk; his children, Kenneth Sam Polk Sr. and Celeste
5(Donald) Polk-Coverdell; his grandchildren, Darnell, Kenneth
6Jr. (Tyeisha), Kevin Sr. (Jazmyn), Caleb, and Donavan; his
7great-grandchildren, Skylar, Kailani, Kassadi, Kevin Jr.,
8Kennedi, and Kaydence; his nieces, Jonelle (Daniel) McCloud,
9Rebecca Polk, and Karen (Billy) Raymond; and numerous other
10relatives and many friends; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13Sam Polk and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
14friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the family of Sam Polk as an expression of our
17deepest sympathy.