HR0560 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0560 LRB094 12782 CSA 47626 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the death of George Turk of Chicago on June 19, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Turk was born December 24, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Theodore Turk and Olivia Brewster; and

WHEREAS, After spending his early childhood in Alabama, he moved to Chicago and was raised by Walter and Olivia (Brewster) Casey; he attended elementary school at Douglas and Wendell Phillips and graduated from Dunbar High School, where he was an outstanding student athlete and joined the National Guard; and

WHEREAS, He attended Wilson Junior College and continued his education at Chicago Teacher's College, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1955; he later attended DePaul University and graduated in 1972 with a master's degree in education; he was drafted into the Army in 1955 and served in Germany for two years before being honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, He married Mary Louise Scott on December 28, 1955, and they had two sons, George Wilkes and Jonathan George; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Turk was an educator by profession and began teaching in the Chicago Public School system as a substitute in 1955; he later taught full-time in a number of schools, including Shakespeare, Herzl, and Shoop; he was appointed assistant principal of the Jenner School; in 1975, he was named principal of Fernwood Elementary School where he served with distinction until his retirement in 1992; and

WHEREAS, During his time as a principal, he dedicated himself to developing, training, and supporting black principals through the Samuel B. Stratton Association; he served as the president of this organization of black principals for many years; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from the Chicago Public School system, he helped to establish the Developing Communities Project Adult Literacy Program of Maple Park and became a leading sales representative for the Globe Fearon Company; and

WHEREAS, He was an accomplished tenor and choir director whose musical talents blossomed as choir director at Greater Institutional A.M.E. Church; in 1962, he became one of the charter members of the Maple Park United Methodist Church and served as Minister of Music for over 30 years; he worked in the church in many capacities over the years, serving as chairman of the Pastor/Parish Relations Committee, president of the United Methodist Men, and chairman of the Administrative Board; and

WHEREAS, He loved people and tremendously treasured the life he was blessed to lead; in addition to singing in a number of choirs throughout Chicago, he enjoyed all types of musical artists, from Howlin' Wolf to Pavarotti, and always seemed to have a song in his heart; he was an avid bowler and was an enthusiastic member of the Maple Park Homeowners League and the Pilgrim Baptist Church League for many years; he also loved to cook for family and friends and to laugh and play cards with his buddies for hours on end; he had great affection for the Maple Park neighborhood and was one of the early presidents of the Maple Park Homeowners Association; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Turk led an exemplary life and because of his remarkable journey was asked to provide his perspective in the PBS documentary entitled "Remembering Chicago"; he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, relative, and friend; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his mother, Olivia; his father, Theodore; his stepfather, Walter Casey; and his sisters, Doris and Janice; and

WHEREAS, The passing of George Turk is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife of nearly 50 years, Mary Louise; his sons, George Wilkes (Melinda) and Jonathan George (Sherri); his grandsons, Morgan, Tyler, Joshua, and Mathew; his granddaughter, Olivia; his brother, Theodore; his sister, Loretta; his mother-in-law, Mary Scott; and a host of relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of George Turk and extend to his family and friends our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time; and be it further

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