HR0880 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0880 LRB102 28078 MST 39879 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Ian Jerrod Dabney, who passed away on June 3, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Ian Dabney was born in Chicago to Jerome and Argentina Dabney on December 24, 1987 and was raised on the West Side of Chicago and in Oak Park; as a child, he attended Bethel Lutheran Church and then Shekinah Ministries; he followed his dad's every move each summer, inevitably participating in the Simba Circle's summer rites of passage program, which offered Afro-diasporic teachings designed to develop young inner-city boys into thriving young men; he developed a love for community and became a Simba Circle Nation Builder, counselor, and mentor; and

WHEREAS, Ian Dabney married Troyah in Cancun, Mexico on May 21, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Ian Dabney's lifelong admiration for Kobe Bryant led him to pursue his dream of working in the field; he forged relationships with NBA trainers, referees, and star players, most notable three-time NBA champion and friend, Andre Iguadola, and used his passion and skill for the game to work with youth who loved the game just as he did; his most notable work was as a volunteer Sports Enrichment and Advocacy Specialist at the Linda and Bill Gantz Boys and Girls Club of Chicago (Lakeview Lakers) in the Lakeview community; his ongoing passion and ardent entrepreneurship led him to start the program For the Win, LLC, where he trained young athletes in life skills and so much more through focused player development, fitness, coaching, and mentoring; and

WHEREAS, Ian Dabney never missed an opportunity to joke lovingly with others, which always resulted in fun, smiles, and laughter; he possessed a spirit of kindness, honesty, compassion, intelligence, and loyalty, and he was an adventurous lover of life; he had a positive impact on many lives; and

WHEREAS, Ian Dabney was preceded in death by his great-grandparents and grandparents; his aunts, Gail and Diane; and his cousins, Ramon and Jori; and

WHEREAS, Ian Dabney is survived by his wife, Troyah; his daughter who is on the way; his parents; his siblings, Jermale Sr. (Kimyatta), Terrence, Ashlei, and Jai; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and extended family; his Godmother; and a close circle of friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ian Jerrod Dabney 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 Ian Dabney as an expression of our deepest sympathy.