SR0814 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0814 LRB097 21855 KXB 70549 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Khaldun "Khal" Everage of Chicago, who passed away on June 5, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Khaldun Everage was born in Chicago on June 12, 1970 to the union of Alonza and Delma Everage, both educators in the Chicago Public School System; he grew up at God's House of All Nations Church of God in Christ, where he sang in the choir and got into trouble with his brother Scott and his buddies Phil and Jason; he later united with the New Original Church of God in Christ and at the time of his passing he was an active member of Giant Steps International Church, where he served as the Chairman of the Men's Ministry; and

WHEREAS, After high school, Khaldun joined the United States Marine Corps and honorably served 2 tours in Saudi Arabia in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; he received a Conduct Award, 2 awards for meritorious service, and several other awards for combat; after his tour of duty he attended Chicago State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice; he was working toward receiving his Master's Degree at Northeastern University; and

WHEREAS, On July 25, 1998, Khaldun married the love of his life, Dina Linne McReynolds; he was a loving and devoted husband and father and valued his family over anything else; and

WHEREAS, He helped pilot the Chicago Police Department's Juvenile Gang Intervention Partnership Program; he was an Investigator with Chicago's Office of Professional Standards and received his Gang Specialist Certification from the National Gang Crime Research Center; he was honored on the national level with the prestigious Frederick Thrasher Gang Intervention Award for his work in Chicago; last year he was honored as an "Everyday Hero" by groups including the Chicago Urban League; and

WHEREAS, After leaving the Chicago Police Department, he became the Project Manager and Gang Specialist for the Chicago Crime Commission; from 2002 until the time of his passing, he worked with the Chicago Public Schools, serving in the following capacities: National Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator in the Office of Specialized Services; Student Development Specialist in the Office of High School Programs; Regional Safety Facilitator in a partnership with the Bureau of Safety and Security and the Business Service Center; and as the Manager of Student Engagement and Community Outreach; and

WHEREAS, He was known throughout Chicago as the "go to" person for any youth related problems; he freely gave of his time and service to help children in times of crisis; his favorite expressions were "Make a great thing happen today" and "I'll see you at the top!"; and

WHEREAS, He was the Vice President of the Board of the Chicago State University Alumni Association, a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and the President of the Fire House Community Arts Center Board; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his mother, Delma Priest; and

WHEREAS, Khaldun "Khal" Everage is survived by his wife, Dina Linne; his children, Khylah Imani and Khalil Solomon; his father, Alonza Everage (Ruby); his brothers, Justin Everage and Scott Priest; his sisters, Tiffany Everage and Sameta Neal (Ronald Sr.); his best friend, Al Holman; his uncles; his aunts; his niece; his nephew; and his many cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Khaldun "Khal" Everage; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Khaldun "Khal" Everage as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.