SR1598 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1598 LRB101 22902 ECR 73994 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Dr. Leon Dorsey Finney Jr., who passed away on September 4, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leon Finney was born to Leon Dorsey Sr. and Adline Jones Finney in Louise, Mississippi on July 7, 1938; he moved to Chicago at a young age and graduated from Hyde Park Academy High School in 1957; he attended the University of Illinois and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a military police officer and worked in counterintelligence; he later earned post-baccalaureate degrees in economics, urban community development, theological studies, and public administration from Goddard College, McCormick Theological Seminary, and Nova University, respectively; and

WHEREAS, After a short career in banking and finance, Dr. Leon Finney found his greatest joy was serving his community; he trained in the art of community organizing and was recruited to work for the Woodlawn Organization; he would later be named as the executive director of the organization and then president and fought tirelessly to revitalize urban communities; he also taught at various colleges and universities, including the University of Chicago, the Lutheran School of Theology, the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, the Presbyterian College of Korea, and the Theological College of the Bahamas; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leon Finney served as vice chairman of the Chicago Public Housing Authority; he was a member of the board of trustees for Chicago State University and the YMCA; he had also been a member of the Chicago Planning Commission; he founded Christ Apostolic Church and served as its pastor until the church merged with Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church in Bronzeville, where he served as senior pastor; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leon Finney received numerous awards and honors for his professional and civic work; he authored several publications on economic and social development and created programs that developed future leaders, like the African American Leadership program at McCormick Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leon Dorsey was preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his children, Sharon McGaughey Finney; and his son, Leon (Tre') Dorsey Finney, III; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Leon Dorsey is survived by his daughter, Kristin Finney-Cooke; his son-in-law, Dr. Gerald Lynzie Cooke; his three grandchildren, Jaiden, Ava, and Gerald (Liam); his siblings, Gwen, Zenobia (Rene), Michael, Michelle, and Andre; his former wife, Attorney Georgette Greenlee; his cousins, Attorney James Montgomery, Warren Jones, former Secretary of Agriculture Michael Espy, and Henry Espy; and his many loving nieces, nephews, and family friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Reverend Dr. Leon Dorsey Finney Jr. after a lifetime of service and dedication to social justice 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 Dr. Leon Finney as an expression of our deepest sympathy.