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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Iola McGowan of Chicago, who passed away
4on May 24, 2012; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan was born on September 8, 1936;
6following her graduation from Farragut High School in 1954, she
7started a family and began to spearhead neighborhood efforts in
8her area; she subsequently graduated from Northeastern
9Illinois University; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan had a long and distinguished career
11in government; she was a former Vice Chairman of the Illinois
12State Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee;
13she served as a Chicago Park District Commissioner and served
14as the 29th Ward Committeeman for 4 years; she also served on
15the Board of Cook County Department of Corrections; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan was fondly known as the "First Lady
17of the Westside" for her extensive government work in the
18Chicagoland area; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan was preceded in death by her husband,
20Adam "Donald" McGowan; her mother, Ernestine Martin; and her
21sister, Anna Pearson; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Iola McGowan is survived by her children, Rhonda
2Stivers (fiance, Matthew), Gregory McGowan (Patricia), and
3Allison McGowan (fiance, Shawn); her sister, Laverne Schaffer;
4her grandchildren, Jason Stivers, Ashley McGowan, and Whitney
5McGowan; and her many nieces, nephews, other family members,
6and friends; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
9her family and friends, the passing of Iola McGowan; and be it
10further
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12presented to the family of Iola McGowan as an expression of our
13sympathy.