HR0589 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0589 LRB093 14282 KEF 40319 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Silas Purnell on November 1, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Purnell was the retired of director of the Educational Services Division at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., after 34 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Silas Purnell was born on March 10, 1923 in Chicago; he was a graduate of the Chicago Public School System and received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the Tuskegee Institute; in addition, he served in the United States Air Force for 3 and one-half years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Purnell was employed for 12 years with Coca Cola Bottling Company, where he served 10 of those years as Marketing Manager; and

WHEREAS, In 1967, Mr. Purnell began his career at Ada S. McKinley after spending a year as a volunteer; his base of operations for 34 years was a basement level unit in the Dearborn Homes public housing development at 2961 South Dearborn Street on Chicago's South Side; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., Mr. Purnell instituted programs to get minority youth off the streets, encouraged them to finish high school, and counseled and supported their efforts to enroll in college; he helped over 50,000 young African-American men and women enroll in over 200 colleges and universities throughout the country and increased the retention rate of the students he assisted to well over 50 percent with many continuing on to graduate and professional schools; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Purnell used a "no nonsense" approach to education; he counseled each student based on their academic and professional ambitions and gave them the encouragement, wisdom, and vision to accomplish their goals; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his duties, Mr. Purnell went beyond the call of duty by helping less advantaged students with anything from busfare to eyeglasses and was available to counsel on issues far beyond the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Silas Purnell served as a member of numerous organizations and volunteer services, including the National Association of College Admission Counselors, past chairman of the Human Relations Committee, member of the Veterans Committee, the Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors, the National Scholarship and Service Fund for Negro Students, member of the Council for College Attendance, the Pullman Foundation, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, board member for the Illinois Council for Educational Services, chairman for the National Coordinating Committee for Educational Services, the Illinois State Scholarship Commission, the Midwest Community Council, the National Association for Financial Aid to Minority Students, the Research Triangle Institute, member of the American Personnel and Guidance Association Non-White Concerns Division, the College Entrance Examination Board, member of Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Opportunity Program Personnel, founder of Principal Scholars Program, Olive Harvey Community College, the Chicago City Colleges Career Center, chairman of the nominating committee for the Chicago City College Board of Trustees, member of the Chicago Urban League, member of the Council of College Attendance, board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, member of the Illinois Concerned Blacks in Higher Education, member of the Wendell Phillips High School Hall of Fame and Alumni, and member of Mid America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Purnell provided his time and service to the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Operation PUSH and the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, On July 1, 2004, Public Act 93-455, which amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and changes the Illinois Incentive for Access Grant Program to the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access Grant Program, will become effective; and

WHEREAS, Silas Purnell will be remembered as a mentor, role model, and dedicated leader in the community whose determination helped and encouraged thousands of African-American youth to pursue their dreams and ambitions; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Purnell's passing will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Marilyn; his four children, Rosalind, Rolinda, Ronald, and Donna Purnell; his six grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by one child; 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 Silas Purnell along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Silas Purnell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.