HR0835 LRB093 21906 HSS 49984 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Evans
4 Royce Miller on April 17, 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was born on May 5, 1932, in Bowling
6 Green, Kentucky, to Alice Hines Miller and Minor Townsend; he
7 graduated from State Street High School in Bowling Green,
8 Kentucky, in 1950; he played basketball and pool during school
9 and enjoyed listening to the blues; he also developed an
10 interest in politics after working in a Kentucky election; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Mr. Miller graduated from Eulon Barber College in
12 1951 and enlisted in the United States Air Force; he valiantly
13 served his country in the Korean War as an Airman First Class,
14 until he was honorably discharged in 1955; and
 
15     WHEREAS, He married Thelma Jo Waller on March 23, 1957; the
16 couple moved to Chicago shortly after they were married; the
17 family later moved to Markham in 1962, where he joined Christ
18 Temple Community Baptist Church and began employment with the
19 City of Markham in the Public Works Department; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was active in numerous civic and civil
21 rights organizations, including the Cub and Boy Scouts, Little
22 League baseball, Markham Park District, Operation PUSH
23 (formerly Operation Breadbasket), NAACP South Suburban Branch,
24 National Urban League, School District 152 PTA, American Legion
25 Post 828, and many others; and
 
26     WHEREAS, Because Mr. Miller was active in his community and
27 believed he could make a difference, he ran for political
28 office and was elected Alderman of Ward 1 in 1971 and 1975; in
29 1973, he became the president of the Markham Roller Rink, Inc.,
30 a position he held until he departed this life; his business

 

 

HR0835 - 2 - LRB093 21906 HSS 49984 r

1 has served as "the place" for recreation in metropolitan
2 Chicago; and
 
3     WHEREAS, In April of 1985, Mr. Miller was elected mayor of
4 the City of Markham; he was subsequently re-elected in 1989,
5 1993, and 1997; under his leadership, Markham grew and
6 prospered; he worked tirelessly to make Markham a great city;
7 and
 
8     WHEREAS, The passing of Evans Royce Miller has been deeply
9 felt by many, especially his wife, Thelma; his son, Steven R.
10 (Stephanie J.) Miller; his daughter, Sheila A. (Steve) Baker;
11 his grandchildren, Stacie D. Miller, Simone E. Miller, Cameron
12 J. Ellison, and Kellie N. Baker; his twin sister, Eva J. (Jack)
13 Withrow; his brothers, Otha D. (Virginia) Miller, Percy (Inez)
14 Miller, and Cecil (Maude) Miller; his sisters-in-law, Sarah
15 Waller, Jean (Albert) Waller, and Johnnie Mae (James) Waller;
16 and his many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends; therefore,
17 be it
 
18     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
19 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
20 mourn the passing of Evans Royce Miller, and we extend our
21 deepest sympathy to his friends, family, and all who knew and
22 loved him; and be it further
 
23     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
24 presented to the family of Evans Royce Miller as an expression
25 of our sincere condolences.