HR1348 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1348 LRB097 23640 MST 72704 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives recognize our former colleague, State Representative Constance A. "Connie" Howard, and thank her for her many years of service to the people of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard was born on December 14, 1942, in Chicago to Henry and Thelma Bozeman, the second of 4 children, and was raised in the Woodlawn neighborhood; she attended James Wadsworth Elementary School and Hyde Park High School; Rep. Howard graduated from Chicago Teacher's College, now Chicago State University, with a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts, later earning a master's degree in corrections and criminal justice from Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard was an active community volunteer, worked for the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and also covered the south side of Chicago as a reporter for a community newspaper, all which fueled her passion for social justice; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard served as a coordinator for the historic 1983 and 1987 campaigns of former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington; in 1984, she was chosen by Mayor Washington and the late State Senator and former Illinois Senate President Cecil Partee to be the Democratic State Central Committee's woman representative for the lst Congressional District; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Representative Howard coordinated the south side U.S. Senate campaign office of Carol Moseley-Braun, who became the first and only African-American woman to serve in the body; she coordinated south side efforts to elect Bill Clinton president in 1992; in 1996, she served on the Rules Committee of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and served as an alternate convention delegate in 1984 and 1988; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, Representative Howard campaigned for and was elected to represent a large portion of the southeast side of Chicago and the south suburbs in the Illinois House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, As State representative, Representative Howard earned a reputation as a compassionate yet firm voice for working families and the less fortunate; she focused her legislative efforts on improving public health, criminal justice reform, and empowering families through the development of high speed internet accessibility; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard served on numerous committees in the Illinois House, including the committees on Aging, Small Business, Veterans Affairs, Housing, Healthcare Disparities, and Public Safety Appropriations, among others; she served as chair of the Judiciary II - Criminal Law Committee and vice-chair of Human Services; she also served as chair of the House Legislative Black Caucus and as a member of the Conference of Women Legislators; and

WHEREAS, As HIV and AIDS spread rapidly through the African-American community, Representative Howard was one of the strongest voices for treatment and prevention programs that saved countless lives; she authored the Illinois African American HIV/AIDS Response Act to formulate a coordinated government response to the epidemic, considered the first of its kind in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard has long been active in the movement to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer research during times of scare resources; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard led statewide efforts to raise awareness of the "digital divide" and expand internet access in impoverished communities across Illinois, helping to increase usage of high speed internet by African Americans; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard consistently fought for criminal justice reforms that emphasized rehabilitation and results; she worked with numerous faith-based and community-based prisoner re-entry programs, recognizing that the best way to leave crime behind is the opportunity for a job and a legitimate way to support one's family; she worked tirelessly to convince others that everyone shares the same goal of an end to crime, and helped to create countless opportunities to receive an education and job skills that will allow everyone to contribute to society; and

WHEREAS, Representative Howard enjoys spending time with her family; she has been married to Phillip Howard, Jr. since 1963 and they are very proud of their son, Phillip III, an airline pilot, and adore spending time with their five grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank State Representative Constance A. "Connie" Howard for her service to her community and State, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Connie Howard as an expression of our respect and gratitude.