SR0536 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0536 LRB093 22138 HSS 50900 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Reverend Arthur Foy, III, of Duluth, Minnesota, on Thursday, March 25, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Foy was born on April 30, 1961, in Port Washington, New York, to Reverend Arthur and Shelby Foy, Jr.; he was a graduate of Prairie View A&M University of Texas, Carthage College of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Concordia University of Mequon, Wisconsin; he was pursuing his Ph.D. in Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Foy married his wife, Jennifer Lynn Foy, in Racine, Wisconsin, on August 3, 1992; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Foy served as an Associate Pastor of Wayman A.M.E. Church and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Racine, Wisconsin; Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Evanston; and in October of 1998, he was appointed by the African Methodist Episcopal Church to be Senior Pastor of St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Duluth, Minnesota; he was Founder and Director of St. Mark Community Development Corporation, an educational enrichment program, and President of Alpha & Omega Transportation Service, the sole city-wide shuttle service in the city of Duluth, Minnesota; he served as an Adjunct Professor at Concordia University, both in Mequon, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and the College of St. Scholastica; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Foy served as a liaison between the City of Duluth Police Department and the community, many times being called upon by the department to serve as a negotiator in hostile situations; he served as a volunteer mentor, advisor, and advocate for children throughout the Duluth Public School System; he was a vocal advocate for people of color, children, and the impoverished community; he spoke out against prejudice and racism in his city and was well established as a spokesperson by all local and at times, statewide media outlets; his words and picture would appear in newspapers, his voice rang out over the airwaves, and his eloquent speaking abilities drew local television affiliates to interview him when the need arose; his accomplishments in Duluth are recognized and permanently stored for public viewing at the Duluth Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Foy's speaking abilities allowed him to travel all across the country to speak at churches from California to Pennsylvania, colleges and universities, and in his home city; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Reverend Foy established a relationship with Charter Communications, the cable and communications corporation, to bring Black Entertainment Television (BET) to the City of Duluth; he, along with Charter Communications and a BET representative, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the arrival of BET in the City of Duluth; even after his death, his sermons can be viewed periodically on the local public access television station for the City of Duluth and surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Reverend Arthur Foy, III, has been deeply felt by many, especially his parents, Reverend Arthur and Shelby Foy, Jr.; his wife, Jennifer; his children, Christian, Alexa, and Caleb; his brother, Torkel Foy; his sister, Serilda Goodwin (Brian); his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Theresa Hood, Jr.; his sister-in-law, Jessica Hood; his brother-in-law, Jason Hood; his special nieces, Enjonae, Brianna, and Bianca; and his nephew, Blaine; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Reverend Arthur Foy, III, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, community, 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 Reverend Arthur Foy, III, as an expression of our sincere condolences.