SR1681 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1681 LRB100 21822 ALS 39553 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Edwin Cleveland "Ebbie" Cook of Champaign, who passed away on April 22, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Ebbie Cook was born in Champaign to Hiram Cook and Iola Hughey on January 5, 1939; he graduated from Champaign High School in 1957; he was an avid baseball player and played in the Eastern Illinois Baseball League; he married Magnolia Reed on June 13, 1959; and

WHEREAS, Ebbie Cook retired from J.M. Jones after 26 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Ebbie Cook was an active member of the community; he, his brother, Jerome, and close friend, Bruce Nesbitt, were an integral part of the recruitment of minority athletes for the University of Illinois, and they provided a feeling of home for potential athletes; he was also a supporter of the Don Moyers Boys and Girls Club, the United Way, and many other local organizations; he coached Little League, All-Stars, and American Legion Baseball Teams; he was a strong supporter of the sporting events at Champaign Central High School and the University of Illinois; he was a member of the Kappa Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and was inducted in 1982; he was a mentor to the undergraduate chapter; and

WHEREAS, In his later years, Ebbie Cook became involved with the 5th and Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign, where he, along with his wife Maggie, was a resident leader; he attended every meeting, read all of the information, and became an informal historian for the Campaign, keeping press clippings and environmental testing reports and correspondence from various agencies; he did countless media interviews, met with local, state, and federal officials, canvassed and educated the neighborhood, spoke at Champaign City Council meetings, and was vigilant in the neighborhood; he, along with the other resident leaders, spoke at many University of Illinois Urbana Champaign classes; he found a special joy in working with young people and engaging students in the 5th & Hill struggle; he was an effective leader for the Campaign, and if it were not for his leadership and dedication, the Campaign would not have been as strong or successful; he appreciated each person who helped out in any way; and

WHEREAS, Ebbie Cook enjoyed working in his garden and often shared his harvest with his neighbors; he loved his life, and he lived it well; and

WHEREAS, Ebbie Cook is survived by his wife, Magnolia; his sons, Jacques "Jock" Martel, Victor Earl, and Edwin "Boogie" Antonio; his daughter, Tamara Winston Johnson; his sisters, Patricia Roberts, Jacqueline Archey, and Betty Zamora; his brothers, Martel Cook, Ernest Cook, and William "Squirt" Smith; his 17 grandchildren; his 30 great-grandchildren; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Edwin Cleveland "Ebbie" Cook 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 Ebbie Cook as an expression of our deepest sympathy.