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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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learned with regret of the death of Joseph Frank Roberts of 
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Chicago on Saturday, August 5, 2006; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was born in Chicago on October
1, 1904, the 
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youngest child of Margarite and Wilson Roberts; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1925, Mr. Roberts was united in holy matrimony 
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to the love of his life, Juanita Williams; they celebrated 70 
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blessed years of marriage, and she preceded him in death; 
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together, they were the parents of Edith, Joseph Jr., and 
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Kenneth, who also preceded him in death; his two grandchildren, 
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Anna Maria and Gregory, who gave him unceasing loyalty and 
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unconditional love as his constant caretakers, were second to 
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none; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts worked in the City of Chicago and the 
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Hyde Park area as a plumber, handyman, and house repair 
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consultant for over eight decades; he was a Hyde Park resident 
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for over 50 years and a sought after speaker regarding 
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historical information on the many different and interesting 
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neighbors of Chicago; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He received celebratory wishes for his 100th 
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birthday from the 43rd President and First Lady, George and 
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Laura Bush, Mayor Richard M. Daley, the President and 
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Commissioners of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, and 
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the United States Senate; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Recently the Chicago Newberry Library verified 
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that Mr. Joseph Roberts was the oldest African American on 
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record born and raised in the City of Chicago; he had a feisty 
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attitude, an enthusiasm, and love of family and friends that 
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will be long-remembered; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, The passing of Joseph Frank Roberts has been 
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deeply felt by many, especially his grandson, Joseph Preacely 
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(Anna); his loving, devoted partner in crime niecy LePhaye; his 
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nieces,  Gayle, Rhyan, Marian, and Sharon; his nephews, 
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Zellinor, Kyle, Jason, Kevin, Anthony, Darryl, Alexander, 
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Andre, Curtis, Ricardo, Fred, and Andre; his special 
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goddaughter by choice, Kim; and his loving and devoted 
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granddaughters by choice, Dottie, Inez, Cynthia, Cheryl, and 
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Elizabeth; he was also preceded in death by his nephew, Lionel; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
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Joseph Frank Roberts, and we extend our sincere condolences to 
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his family, his friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be 
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it further

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