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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois 
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were saddened to learn of the death of Evans Royce Miller on 
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April 17, 2004; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Evans Royce Miller was born to Alice Hines Miller 
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and Minor Townsend on May 5, 1932, in Bowling Green, Kentucky; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1950, he graduated from State Street High 
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School in Bowling Green, Kentucky; between studying and working 
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before and after school, he enjoyed playing basketball and pool 
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and listening to the blues; he also developed an interest in 
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politics after working in a Kentucky election; and

 
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    WHEREAS, After graduating from Eulon Barber College in 
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1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he 
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served in the Korean War as an Airman First Class until he was 
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honorably discharged in 1955; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He married Thelma Jo Waller on March 23, 1957; 
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they moved to Chicago where their two children, Steven Royce 
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and Sheila Ann, were born; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He moved his family to Markham in 1963 where he 
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joined Christ Temple Community Baptist Church and began 
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employment with the City of Markham in the Public Works 
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Department; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He joined numerous civic and civil rights 
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organizations, including the Cub and Boy Scouts, Little League 
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baseball, Markham Park District, Operation PUSH, NAACP South 
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Suburban Branch, National Urban League, School District 152 1/2 
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PTA, American Legion Post 828, and many others; he always 
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wanted to be at the forefront of community issues; and
 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, Mr. Miller believed he could make a difference, so 
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he decided to run for political office; he was elected Alderman 
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of Ward 1 in 1971 and 1975; and
 
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    WHEREAS, In 1973, he became President of the Markham Roller 
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Rink, Inc., a position he held until he departed this life; his 
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business has served as "the place" for recreation in 
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metropolitan Chicago; and
 
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    WHEREAS, In 1985 he was elected Mayor of the City of 
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Markham and he was re-elected in 1989, 1993, and 1997; under 
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his leadership, the City of Markham prospered; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Until the end, he remained devoted to his family, 
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friends, business, and the City of Markham; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The passing of Evans Royce Miller will be deeply 
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felt by many, especially his wife, Thelma; his son, Steven R. 
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(Stephanie J.) Miller; his daughter, Sheila A. (Steve) Baker; 
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his four grandchildren, Stacie D. Miller, Simone E. Miller, 
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Cameron J. Ellison, and Kellie N. Baker; his twin sister, Eva 
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J. (Jack) Withrow; his three brothers, Otha D. (Virginia) 
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Miller, Percy (Inez) Miller, and Cecil (Maude) Miller; his 
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three sisters-in-law, Sarah Waller, Jean (Albert) Waller, and 
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Johnnie Mae (James) Waller; and a host of nieces, nephews, and 
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many true and wonderful friends; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his sisters and 
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brothers, Dora (John) Booker, George Anna (Golden) Wade, Ruby 
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(Felix) Perkins, Sarah (Andrew) McGriff, Elisha (Dora) Miller, 
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Clarence Miller, and Paul Miller; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of 
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Evan Royce Miller along with all who knew and loved him and 
 


 






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extend our sincere condolences to his friends, family, and 
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community; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Evans Royce Miller as an expression 
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of our  deepest sympathy.