SR0388 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0388 LRB093 18032 HSS 43718 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Alzada Christian-Carr of East St. Louis on November 14, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Alzada Christian was born on July 11, 1945 to Theodore and Hattie Christian; she grew up with her family on Goose Hill, attending Garfield and Carver Schools; she continued her education at Rock Junior High School, and she graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Christian-Carr went on to further her education as an honor student of the American Institute of Banking; she later graduated from the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Institute and was a student of the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Academy; she was a Registered Clerk, and was conferred as a Master Municipal Clerk by the International Master Municipal Clerk Academy; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Christian-Carr worked at National Stockyards Bank of St. Louis, where she was one of the first recipients of the Urban League Black Achievers Award in 1974; her banking career also includes employment at Continental Bank of Chicago and Riggs National Bank of Washington, D.C., where she supervised 30 women; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Christian-Carr served as Deputy Clerk of the City of East St. Louis for ten years and was elected the first female City Clerk for 4 terms; she was elected First Vice-President of Districts 7, 8, and 9 of Southwestern Illinois Municipal Clerks Association; and she was the first City Clerk of East St. Louis to become a Certified Clerk of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Christian-Carr was appointed District Director of District IX of Illinois Municipal Clerks for 1999-2000; in 2001, she was presented the Ilion Crabel Member of the Year Award by the Municipal Clerks of Illinois, the highest award to be received from the State Clerks; her greatest achievement as City Clerk was to have the Municipal City Code updated; the previous update to the Code was in 1974; she retired from the position in May of 2002, the first City Clerk to retire after 25 years of service; and

WHEREAS, She served as Democrat Precinct Committeewoman of Goose Hill for ten years; she served as Secretary of the City Central Democratic Organization and was Secretary of the County of St. Clair Democratic Organization for ten years; her local, state, and national memberships, awards, and honors are far too numerous to name; and

WHEREAS, She was a Charter Member of the North End Missionary Baptist Church and served as First Financial Secretary and First Announcing Clerk; she was a dependable and loyal member and served the church in many ways; she was affectionately called "Co-Pastor"; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Alzada Christian-Carr has been deeply felt by many, especially her two daughters; Candace (Richard) King and Gerri Butler; her grandchildren, Brandi Butler, Dameon Christian, Kevisha White, Dennis Butler III, Courtney Butler, and Carlton King; her sisters, Fran (Howard) Hairston, Voncille Cox, and Sabrina (Tommie) Johnson; her brothers, T.C. (Beverly) Christian, Jr., Taft (Marie) Christian, Sr., and Charles (Ruby) Christian, Sr.; her godson, Roderick (Corliss) Townsend; her "adopted" daughters, Phyllis Mitchell and Karen Robinson; sixty-two Daughters of Venus Temple #1042; her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins; her extended family of Griggs, Neely, Holloway, and Christian; and her North End Church Family, Goose Hill Family, Elk Family, and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Alzada Christian-Carr along with all who knew and loved her, and we extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Alzada Christian-Carr as an expression of our deepest sympathy.