HR0811

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to  learn of the death of
Jacob 
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Manuel Cooper Sr., who passed away on December 31, 2009; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was born on January 9, 1947, in 
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Shreveport, Louisiana; his parents were the late Esau Cooper 
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Sr. and Lillie Hawkins Cooper; he married the love of his life, 
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Priscilla Elanor Knox, on February 1, 1969, in Baton Rouge, 
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Louisiana; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. accepted Christ at an early age 
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and united with the Wesley Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal 
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Church in Princeton, Louisiana; after returning home in July of 
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2009, he reunited with the Wesley Chapel Church under the 
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leadership of Reverend Anthony Brim; he had great admiration 
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for Wesley because of the legacy of his great-grandfather, the 
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late Reverend John Hawkins, who founded the church in 1873; he 
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also spent time in fellowship with the Cathedral of Joy in 
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Flossmoor, where he was an honorary member; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. attended Princeton High School in 
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Princeton, Louisiana, where he graduated in May of 1964; he 
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received his bachelor's degree in recreation at Southern 
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University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and later attended Chicago 
 


 






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State University to receive his teacher's certificate for 
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physical education; he also received his master's degree in 
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cultural studies from Governors State University; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was employed with the Chicago 
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Board of Education for 35 years until his retirement in 2004; 
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he was a dedicated physical education teacher at Ryder and 
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Shoop Elementary Schools; he also worked for the Chicago Park 
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District as a physical education instructor from 1969 to 1972; 
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and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. enjoyed spending time with his 
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family and tending his garden, where he grew many different 
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types of vegetables; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was preceded in death by his 
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parents; his sisters, Jessie, Geraldine, and Dorothy; and his 
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brother, Howard; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. is survived by his loving wife, 
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Priscilla; his daughters, Tarshwa (Kevin) and Tonya (John); his 
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son, Jacob Jr.; his grandchildren, Kevin, Kristen, Joshua, and 
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Jasmine; his sisters, Vernona Barr, Nola Nadine Carter 
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(Lorenza), Lillie Ingram, and Mary Louise Robinson; his 
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brothers, Esau Cooper, Jr. (Gracie) and Ricky Cooper (Cindy); 
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his sister-in-law, Marcella Cooper; and his many nieces, 
 


 






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nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. will be remembered by all who 
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knew and loved him as a devoted husband and father; therefore, 
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be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Jacob 
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Manuel Cooper Sr.; and 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 Jacob Cooper Sr. as an expression of 
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our sympathy.