HR0791 LRB094 15311 CSA 50502 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, City of Aurora's Mayor Weisner recognized Bill
3 Powell's gifted leadership within the city's police force and
4 named him Chief of Police; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Chief Bill Powell grew up on the south side of
6 Chicago; he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1970, where he served
7 as an Air Freight and Air Passenger Specialist and recruiter;
8 he returned to civilian law enforcement at the Illinois Youth
9 Center in Geneva; in 1977, he joined the city's police force as
10 only the fourth African-American police officer in the history
11 of the city; and
 
12     WHEREAS, In 1993, he was promoted to the position of
13 Sergeant; seven years later, he was promoted to the position of
14 Lieutenant; early this year, he was promoted to the position of
15 Commander; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Chief Powell is a truly remarkable leader and a
17 man who has spent his career bucking racism and blazing new
18 trails for people of color throughout the community; he has
19 served as a role-model for our younger generation, teaching
20 them that with perseverance, honor, and dedication to duty, the
21 highest goals are achievable regardless of skin color; and
 
22     WHEREAS, He and his wife, Christine, have four children,
23 Brenda, Diane, Yhana, and Alicia; he is a classic car
24 enthusiast, an avid football fan, and a well-traveled
25 grandfather; therefore, be it
 
26     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
27 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
28 we honor Chief Powell as the City of Aurora's first
29 African-American police chief; we congratulate him on his 28
30 years of exceptional service and extend to him our best wishes

 

 

HR0791 - 2 - LRB094 15311 CSA 50502 r

1 for many more years of continued service; and be it further
 
2     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3 presented to Chief Powell as an expression of our admiration
4 and esteem.