HR1178 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1178 LRB093 23436 HSS 53424 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with great sadness of the death of noted journalist and community activist Lutrelle "Lu" Palmer on Sunday, September 12, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Palmer was born in Newport News, Virginia; he graduated from Virginia Union University in 1942, received his master's degree from Syracuse University in 1947, and his Ph.D. in Mass Media Communications from Iowa State University in 1955; he is the recipient of an honorary degree from St. Martin's College and Seminary, which bestowed upon him a Doctor of Human Letters in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Palmer worked as a reporter for several Chicago papers including the Chicago Defender, the Chicago Courier, the Chicago American, and the Chicago Daily News, where he was also a syndicated columnist; he served as the editor of the Tri-State Defender, based in Nashville, Tennessee; he also worked as a recruiter, organizer, and preceptor for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest from 1970 to 1990; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work in newspapers, Mr. Palmer became famous through his radio broadcasts of "Lu's Notebook", which at one time was aired on four radio stations; at the end of his broadcast career, he hosted a night on WVON's "On Target" show; he was a writer and editorial director for Congressman Ralph Metcalfe in the 1970s and the 1980s, and he worked in public relations for Michael Reese Hospital in the 1960s and 1970s; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Palmer was the founder of Chicago Black United Communities (CBUC) and served as chairman of the organization from 1979 until 1987; through his work at CBUC, he spear-headed the move to elect Chicago's first African-American mayor, Harold Washington, through the "We Shall See in '83" campaign; he also founded the Black Independent Political Organization (BIPO) and the Black Business Network, and he founded, edited, and published the Black X-Press Info-Paper in Chicago from 1971 to 1974; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Palmer's final position was chairman of United Services of Chicago, Inc., where he was chairman of the Board of Directors of this State-funded program, a group living facility on Chicago's south side; and

WHEREAS, All over the country, Mr. Palmer conducted seminars and participated in workshops where his expertise and his messages have been that of imparting valuable information and providing direction for untold masses of people regarding the enrichment and lifting up of African Americans; in Chicago, he led such fights as the removal of asbestos from Chicago schools and the fight against the wrongful draft of African Americans in the armed services; behind the scenes, he helped in the mobilization to unseat Edward Hanrahan after the murders of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party and also provided assistance in the mobilization against police brutality in the 1970s; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Palmer provided vital research to the groups that fought over-crowding of schools in African-American neighborhoods and did the same for groups that coalesced to have the first African American selected as Superintendent of the Chicago School Board; and

WHEREAS, During his years of journalistic activism in the Chicago area, Mr. Palmer received several notable honors for his work; he was inducted into the Black Press Hall of Fame on October 22, 1989; in addition to his numerous awards and honors, he was a recipient of the Journalistic Excellence Award given by the National Conference of Black Lawyers in 1977, the Frederick Douglas Award in 1998, the Jomo Kenyatta Award for Political Activism in 1994, and a Thank You Picture Plaque from Nelson Mandela and the ANC in 1990; and

WHEREAS, It was Lu Palmer who solidified KWANZAA as an African-American observance; on his radio program, he presented the Seven Principles of Nguzo Saba on a daily basis in an effort to help listeners understand, absorb, and seek more clarity and participation in African-based cultural rhythms; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Mr. Palmer has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Jorja Palmer; his three daughters; his two sons; his five grandchildren; and his two great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lutrelle "Lu" Palmer, who leaves behind a legacy of impeccable integrity and an intense desire to correct injustice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Palmer as an expression of our deepest sympathy during their time of bereavement.