SR0009 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0009 LRB100 05898 MST 15924 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leonard E. Hawthorne of Alton, who passed away on December 21, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne was born in Doddsville, Mississippi to Jessie L. and Hugh H. Hawthorne on November 11, 1945; he grew up in East St. Louis and graduated from Lincoln High School; he served in the United States Army and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Business Education and his certification in education administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; he married Birdia Ruth Woods in 1971 and they settled in Alton; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne began his 32-year career as an educator in Alton Community Unit School District 11; he taught business subjects at Alton High School and the J.B. Johnson Career Development Center; he was a teacher-coordinator for the Distributive Education work-study program, assistant principal at West Junior High School and Alton High School, principal at Lewis & Clark Elementary School, and Title I and Special Services Administrator; he retired in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne developed, tested, and taught a financial literacy course to Alton High School students, where he stressed the importance of avoiding the common pitfalls students encounter upon graduating; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne was involved with several professional organizations, including the National and State Education Association, the National and State Business Education Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Illinois Principals Association; he twice received the "Those Who Excel Meritorious Service Award" from the Illinois State Board of Education, once as Alton High School assistant principal, and again as district level administrator; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne was involved with 100 Black Men of Alton and 100 Black Men Youth 100 W.A.Y.S. Financial Literacy Project; he was also involved with the United Way of Southwest Illinois, the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial, and the Madison County Urban League Board and Guild, where he served as Board Chairman; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne was a lifelong member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, serving for over 40 years as Trustee Board Secretary and Finance Committee Chairman; he was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne made a difference in the school district and his community; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne was preceded in death by his wife, Birdia; his parents; his brother, John T. Hawthorne; and his sister, Molly Hawthorne (Patton) Robertson; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Hawthorne is survived by his daughter, Melia L. Hawthorne; his son, Antoine (Rebecca) Lawrence; his sister, Ruth H. Clark; his brothers, James (Ruth Ann) Hawthorne, and Hugh H. Hawthorne, Jr.; his mother-in-law, Lovie Woods; his sister-in-law, W. Earnestine Everage; his brother-in-law, Gary D. Woods; his godson, Dirk Johnson, MD; his special friend, Joan Riggs; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leonard E. Hawthorne, 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 Leonard Hawthorne as an expression of our deepest sympathy.