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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
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learn of the death of John Quincy Jenkins of Chicago, who 
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passed away on November 14, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John Quincy Jenkins was born May 19, 1935 in 
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Greenville, Mississippi and was the youngest of six children 
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from the union of Joseph and Nona Jenkins; the family moved to 
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Chicago when John was three months of age; he accepted Christ 
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at an early age at Beth Eden Baptist Church, located in the 
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Morgan Park Community; he later transferred his membership to 
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Wesley United Methodist Church, where he was an active member 
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until the time of his death; and

 
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    WHEREAS, On October 22, 1960, John was united in matrimony 
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to Betty Primus Jenkins and they were blessed with one daughter 
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(Sonja Jenkins Brown); John graduated from John D. Shoop 
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Elementary School and Morgan Park High School; after graduating 
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from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and 
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received an honorable discharge; upon discharge from the Navy, 
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John worked at various jobs while working as a custodian for 
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the Chicago Public Schools; and

 
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    WHEREAS, It was through the encouragement of many people 
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that he returned to school with a focus in special and primary 
 


 






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education; John launched his teaching career in 1971 as an 
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eighth-grade instructor at the westside based Daniel Webster 
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Elementary School, and later taught at Bass Elementary School; 
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he also taught social science at Taft, Corliss, King, and 
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Harlan High Schools; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John continued his higher education studies at 
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Chicago State University where he received a master's degree in 
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supervision and administration in 1977; his first 
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administrative position was as an Assistant Principal for Wells 
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Academy High School, located on the City's north side; while 
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John was working for the Chicago Public Schools, he 
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simultaneously worked as Branch Director from 1973 to 1975 at 
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the Chicago Youth Center located in the Cabrini Green Public 
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Housing Development; in 1991, John was appointed as the first 
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African-American principal of Esmond Elementary School, 
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located in the Beverly-Morgan Park community; and
 
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    WHEREAS, After retiring from the Chicago Public Schools, he 
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continued to work in various educational capacities as 
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principal of Prairie Hills Junior High School in Markham, 
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Education Facility Administrator of Illinois Youth Centers at 
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Chicago, Assistant Principal of Illinois Youth Centers of 
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Valley View, and he provided staff development for various 
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organizations; and
 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, John performed various community services as a 
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member and past president (1991-2005) of the John D. Shoop 
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49ers Alumni Association, the Beulah G. Smith Education 
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Foundation, the South End Principals Association, University 
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of Illinois affiliate, and a member of Phi Delta Kappa;



and
 
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    WHEREAS, He also received awards from the Rosemoor 
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Community Association as a Distinguished Community Leader 
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(1978 & 1979), the  Community Leadership Award from the 
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Department of Human Services (1981), and the Educator of the 
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Year Award from the Beulah G. Smith Foundation (1993); he was a 
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participant in the Chicago State University Phi Delta Kappa 
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organization (1996); and he was active with his bowling league, 
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AARP, and the Department of Aging Ombudsman Program; and
 
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    WHEREAS, His parents, a sister, and brother preceded him in 
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death; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John's precious memories will be cherished by his 
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loving and devoted wife, Betty Primus-Jenkins; his beloved 
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daughter, Sonja Jenkins Brown; one grandson, who he loved and 
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admired dearly, Ronald Brown Jr.; two brothers, Edward Jenkins 
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(Clara) and Joseph Jenkins; one sister, Lu Bertha Jenkins; one 
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uncle, James Johnson; nine sister-in laws; seven 
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brothers-in-law; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, 
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family, friends, colleagues, and students; therefore, be it

 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of John Quincy Jenkins; and 
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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 John Quincy Jenkins as a symbol of 
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our sincere sympathy.