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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Reverend Walter "Slim" Coleman of
4Chicago, who passed away on April 16, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rev. Coleman was born on August 20, 1943; he was
6raised in Lubbock, Texas; he attended Harvard University,
7where he graduated many years later due to his enthusiastic
8dedication to activism; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Rev. Coleman was an influential Chicago activist
10who served as an advocate for civil rights and social justice
11causes for more than six decades; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Rev. Coleman became involved with the Student
13Nonviolent Coordinating Committee under the leadership of
14James Forman in Cleveland, Ohio in 1960, and the predominantly
15Black college student organization practiced peaceful,
16direct-action protests that led to civil rights victories; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Rev. Coleman moved to Chicago in 1966, where he
18joined the activist organization Students for a Democratic
19Society, an organization whose headquarters were located on
20the city's west side near the Illinois Black Panther Party
21Headquarters on Madison Street, leading him to become

 

 

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1acquainted with Chairman Fred Hampton; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Through his monumental voter registration
3efforts, Rev. Coleman played a pivotal role in Harold
4Washington's historic and successful campaign to become
5Chicago's first Black mayor in 1983; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Rev. Coleman later earned a Master of Divinity
7from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary; he and his
8wife, Emma Lozano, served as spiritual leaders for Adalberto
9United Methodist Church in Humboldt Park and Lincoln United
10Methodist Church in Pilsen for many years; their ministry
11primarily focused on the needs of immigrants; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Rev. Coleman leaves behind a legacy of community
13leadership and activism on behalf of people and communities
14fighting for fairness and access to resources and power in
15Chicago; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Rev. Coleman is survived by his wife; five
17children, Robert Rico, Anita Rico, Tanya Lozano, Joline
18Lozano, and Roberto C. Lopez; and six grandchildren;
19therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

 

 

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1Reverend Walter "Slim" Coleman and extend our sincere
2condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
3him; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5presented to the family of Rev. Coleman as an expression of our
6deepest sympathy.