HR1101 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1101 LRB093 22652 HSS 52276 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Earl Henry Dobbins on Monday, June 14, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dobbins was born on March 15, 1919, in Port Gibson, Mississippi, to Reverend S.L. and Mariah (Dunn) Dobbins; he was the fourth child of 10 children; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dobbins moved to East St. Louis in 1940 and joined New Era Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon; he later joined Lilly Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon; throughout his life, he served as a deacon for over 60 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dobbins married Christine Gladney in 1966; they were married for 38 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dobbins was a pioneer and worked hard to keep the MCC College in East St. Louis; he helped organize the Illinois Park on 26th Street, where children could play; he fought for the NAACP and organized the Concerned Citizens for Justice; he was known as someone who would not turn away a person asking for help and as one who helped the sick in any way he could; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dobbins' latest project, the Earl H. Dobbins Vocational Training Center was very close to his heart; he wanted to help young people in East St. Louis make an honest living and to help them "get off the streets"; the training center was his dream to help in that manner; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Earl Henry Dobbins has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Christine Dobbins; his daughters, Doris Lockett, Rosalind Thomas, and Joyce Bennett; his sister, Florine Humphrey; his devoted cousin, Willie Cooper; his 10 grandchildren; his 9 great-grandchildren; his one great-great-grandchild; and his many nieces, nephews and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Earl Henry Dobbins, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Earl Henry Dobbins as an expression of our sincere condolences.