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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Dr. Gerald L. Clay, who passed away on
4November 4, 2022 at the age of 81; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald Clay served in both the United States
6Army and Navy, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant
7Commander; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald Clay was a longtime resident of Oak
9Park and an active and visionary member and leader of the Oak
10Park community, participating in numerous Oak Park civic and
11community organizations; and
 
12    WHEREAS, In 1988, Dr. Gerald Clay joined with fellow
13Longfellow Elementary School parents to found African-American
14Parents for Purposeful Leadership in Education (APPLE), and to
15this day, APPLE advocates for students of color with a focus on
16the African-American student experience, equity and fairness,
17and support for scholarships; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald Clay also helped create Rites of
19Passage to support young black men growing into manhood, and
20participants have credited this ceremony as a meaningful
21turning point in their lives; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald Clay co-founded Black-White Dialogues
2with fellow Oak Parker Lanny Lutz to provide community members
3with the opportunity to gather and discuss racial issues; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald Clay was among the first to volunteer
5his support for then candidate Don Harmon for State Senate; he
6continued to serve as an advisor and mentor to Senator Harmon
7and served as chair of the 39th District Scholarship Selection
8Committee; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald Clay established the Gerald L. Clay
10Scholarship, a merit and needs-based fund to help
11African-American male students at Oak Park River Forest High
12School to pursue their academic goals and dreams; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Gerald Clay is survived by his wife of 58
14years, Retired Judge Evelyn Brown Clay; his daughter,
15Tracy-Elizabeth Clay; his son, Dr. Lamont G. Clay; and his
16three grandchildren, Hannah, Isaac, and Harper; therefore, be
17it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
20Dr. Gerald L. Clay and extend our sincere condolences to his
21family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it

 

 

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1further
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3presented to the family of Dr. Gerald L. Clay as an expression
4of our deepest gratitude and sympathy.