HR0689 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0689 LRB102 26447 ECR 36845 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Major Armstead Jr., Ed.D., who passed away on February 18, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead was born to Amanda and Major Armstead Sr. in Chicago on December 26, 1938; he graduated from DuSable High School in 1956; he received his Bachelor of Education from Chicago Teachers College in 1961; he obtained his Master of Science and Education from Illinois State Teachers College in Chicago in 1965; he earned his doctoral degree in Education from Nova University in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead began his career in education with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) at Beale Elementary School in 1961; within ten years, he was appointed principal of Chalmers Elementary School; in 1972, he became principal of Hess Upper Grade Center, where he served for five years before being appointed principal of Foreman High School; from 1982 through 1988, he directed basic skills improvement programs for 75 high schools; he served as executive director of the CPS High School Renaissance Program and later as director of Program Planning and Development for the CPS Office of Field Superintendent-High Schools; after serving as CPS District 4 Superintendent from 1988 to 1992, he left Chicago to become the General Superintendent of Racine, Wisconsin Unified School District; he held this position until his retirement in 1997; upon returning to Chicago, he worked as a consultant for a number of school districts; he also served as a faculty member at local colleges and universities, including Chicago State University, DePaul University, the Chicago Consortium of Colleges and Universities, Roosevelt University, Governors State University, National College of Education (now part of National-Louis University), and Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead was the founder and president of Winning Wellness, LLP; since 1992, his consulting company has provided educational advice specifically around teacher and administrator training designed to improve student performance; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead was a volunteer leader in many programs and activities that helped to improve the quality of life for people in his community; he volunteered as a consultant to the White House Conference on Secondary Schools, as chairman for the Leadership Volunteer Council at Chicago State University, as a member of the Advisory Committee for Carthage College (WI), as a board member of Junior Achievement, Inc. (Chicago and Racine, Wisconsin), and, most recently, as a board member of Matteson Elementary School District School 162 Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead authored several articles and textbooks, including Target Reading Series with Laidlaw Brothers Publishers, Good English with Laidlaw Brothers Publishers, and Language Experience Program with Laidlaw Brothers Publishers; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead has been recognized for his community support and leadership; he was a recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Public Service Award from Chicago State University in 2009; he received the Urban League Education Award in Kenosha/Racine, Wisconsin in 1992; he was named Principal of the Year by the Citizens Schools Committee in Chicago in 1982, Educator of the Year by the Phi Delta Kappa Chicago Chapter in 1981-1982, and Most Distinguished Man of Illinois from the Continuing Academic Training Children and Youth Services, Inc. in 2017; and

WHEREAS, On March 7, 1959, Dr. Armstead was initiated into the Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated; as a member, he served in several positions, such as polemarch of the Chicago Alumni Chapter, Chairman of the Chicago Alumni Chapter Scholarship Committee, and president of the Edward G. Irvin Foundation, Inc.; he was the recipient of the Most Distinguished Alumni Award of North Central Province in 1999; he was given the Edward G. Irvin Foundation, Inc. Award in 2009 for his role in assisting young men/students to become productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead committed to his faith at an early age; he was a member of New Faith Baptist Church International, where he served in the Men's Ministry and was the chairman of the Education Pathways Ministry; he married his wife Sharon at New Faith in 2006; they met in 1990 and enjoyed over 30 wonderful years together; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Armstead leaves cherished memories with his daughters' mother, Judith Armstead; his daughters, Annyce Armstead and Alison Armstead; his wife, Sharon Cruse Armstead; his stepchildren, Celeste Boyd, Charmaine Boyd, and Thomas Boyd Sr.; his grandchildren, Amanda Story, Demery Major Armstead McLaughlin, Ricky E.K. Smalling, Cerena Hudson, and Thomas Boyd Jr.; his great-grandchildren, Adjua Beck El, Zaria Story, and Emery McLaughlin; his brother-in-law, Paul Cruse Jr.; his cousin, Albert Gaston Jr.; his host of nieces and nephews; and his other loved one; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Major Armstead Jr., Ed.D. and extend our sincere condolences 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 Dr. Major Armstead as an expression of our deepest sympathy.