HR0800 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0800 LRB096 16463 GRL 31733 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend M. Earle Sardon of Chicago, who passed away on December 18, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sardon served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the United States Army during World War II; after returning home, he went to Chicago to fight, through non-violent protests, for the rights of his fellow African-Americans; in 1946, he organized the Civil Rights Program, published and edited the Crusader newspaper, campaigned against Wonder Bread Company, and placed the first African-American bread truck driver salesman; by 1947, every bread company had African-American drivers in their ranks; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sardon continued his fight to place cake, pie, cookie, and laundry truck drivers, whiskey and wine salesmen, and beer company employees; in 1949, he opened Andy Frain Co., which placed African-American ushers at sporting events for the first time; he helped to organize the African-American garbage truck company owners and led efforts to increase their business; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sardon marched on with the civil rights movement to mount a campaign against Agar Meat Packers, A&P Stores, the First National Bank in downtown Chicago, Brinks Money Transport Company, Greyhound Bus Co., El Produto Cigar Co., and numerous ice cream companies; during 1961 and 1962, he joined the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King in Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Chicago; throughout the years, he was arrested many times for his efforts for civil rights; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sardon served the people of the City of Chicago in ministry for 60 years; in 1978, he was involved in the organization of The Crusaders of Justice, a group which worked tirelessly to help those less fortunate; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sardon was an active member of numerous civic and charitable organizations; he served on the Citizens Utility Board as a member appointed by Governor James Thompson; he helped organize and served as chairman of the Illinois Committee of Churches for Religious Freedom and traveled to every state to speak and organize for religious freedom; he also organized a State-financed homeless shelter and worked to create and maintain a drug prevention program; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, Reverend Sardon was appointed to serve as Director of Americorps' VISTA program site in Chicago under the direction of the U.S. Department of Labor; he continued to serve as pastor of Holiness Community Temple, President of the Crusaders of Justice, and as a lecturer, counselor, and crisis mediator until his passing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Reverend M. Earle Sardon; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Reverend M. Earle Sardon as an expression of our sympathy.