HR0554 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0554 LRB097 13981 GRL 58595 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William Eric "Doc" Perkins; and

WHEREAS, William Perkins was born on September 3, 1948, in Chicago; his parents were Betty L. Mason and Darrell J. Perkins; he was baptized at St. Finbar Catholic Church on the west side of Chicago and attended St. Dorothy's and Mendel Catholic High School; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, William Perkins began attending Northwestern University in Evanston, where he graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1970; while in college, he pledged with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was a "founding officer" of the "For Members Only" (FMO) organization, which spearheaded the Northwestern University "Takeover" in 1968; he subsequently earned his master's degree from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D in history from the City University of New York; and

WHEREAS, William Perkins educated hundreds of students at a variety of institutions; he served as a faculty fellow at the W.E.B. DuBois House at the University of Pennsylvania; he was an adjunct professor of communications at Hunter College at City University of New York; he was an assistant professor with the African American Studies department at Temple University; he also served with Educational Testing Service for 13 years; and

WHEREAS, William Perkins was well known throughout the academic community in the United States and beyond; he wrote and lectured on various topics, including slavery, Caribbean history, urban studies, and American popular culture; his classes inspired hundreds of students to become rigorous critical thinkers, ardent political activists, and scholars; and

WHEREAS, William Perkins was the author of "Droppin' Science: Critical Essays on Rap Music and Hip Hop Culture", which was published by Temple University Press in 1996; the book is still considered a critical text in the field of hip hop scholarship; and

WHEREAS, William Perkins enjoyed watching sports and was particularly thrilled and excited when the New Orleans Saints recently won the Super Bowl; he also enjoyed cooking, photography, and traveling to various countries of the African Diaspora, including Cuba, Brazil, Grenada, Aruba, and Jamaica; he particularly enjoyed learning about and experiencing Creole culture; and

WHEREAS, William Perkins is survived by his daughter, Sonya Perkins; his son, Logan Bailey Perkins; his grandsons, Miles, Charlie, and Julian Perkins; his sister, Darlene Perkins Tribue; his brothers, Antonio Burketh (Lydia) and Lance Richards; his nephews, Edward "Kippy" Tribue (Helen) and Shawn Richards (Miriam); his aunt, Joan Mason; his brothers-in-law, Edward and Randall Tribue; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of William Eric "Doc" Perkins; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William Perkins as an expression of our sympathy.