SR0134 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0134 LRB096 10843 KXB 21072 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant Dr. Roland H. Alexander of Fairview Heights, who passed away on January 26, 2009; and

WHEREAS, He was born November 29, 1926, in Radford, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, after 21 years in the United States Air Force, Dr. Alexander retired and began another career as an instructor of Vocational Electronics at East St. Louis Senior High School in East St. Louis; from 1971 to 1979, he earned three degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale: a B.S. in Technical Education, an M.S. in Occupational Education, and a Ph.D. in Education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander retired from School District 189 as System Director of the East St. Louis Community College and Lovejoy Regional Vocation System; during his tenure, he earned numerous awards and teaching honors; and

WHEREAS, His professional affiliations were many, including the National and Illinois Councils of Local Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Southern Illinois Occupational Leaders, where he served as president; in addition to his educational pursuits, Dr. Alexander was an active member of Southern Cross Masonic Lodge 112 Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliated; he was a past Commander-In-Chief of Tyree Consistory 64, Scottish Rite of Free Masons, Northern Jurisdiction, where he received the 33 degree for exceptional service; and he also served as Potentate of Aahmes Temple 132 Shriners in East St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander was preceded in death by his parents, Muriel Douglas and Lillie Clark Alexander; his brothers, Tyree and Clarence Alexander; his sisters, Helen Alexander and Millicent Connor; and his two foster brothers, Douglas and Joseph Delaney; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander is survived by his loving wife of more than 54 years, Joyce, nee Williams, Alexander; his sons, Derek and Robert Alexander; his sister, Serena A. Twyman; his brothers, Billie (Queen) Alexander and George Alexander; his sister-in-law, Catherine Delaney; his sisters-in-law, Emma Hopkins, Ramona Herte, and Jenette McKnight; his six endeared brothers-in-law in the Williams family; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends who are all deeply saddened by his passing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dr. Roland Alexander; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Roland Alexander as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.