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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Representative Monique D. Davis and the Illinois 
3House of Representatives are deeply saddened to learn of the 
4death of Carl Davis, formerly of Chicago, who passed away on 
5August 9, 2012; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Carl Davis was born in Woodlawn on September 19, 
71934, to William and Mattie Davis;  he was married to Dedra 
8Davis; he served in the U.S. Air Force and obtained an 
9associate degree from the Cortez-Peters Business College; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Carl Davis shaped what became known as "the 
11Chicago Sound"; he was one of the first African-American A & R 
12directors and produced numerous hit songs for the Columbia 
13Records subsidiary Okeh Records; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Carl Davis had his first multi-million-selling 
15song with Gene Chandler's 1962 smash "Duke of Earl"; his other 
16notable efforts included Jackie Wilson's 1967 hit "(Your Love 
17Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher", Major Lance's 1963 song 
18"Monkey Time", and the Chi-Lites' 1972 ballad "Oh Girl"; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Carl Davis was honored in 2003, by the non-profit 
20Chicago archive, the History Makers; he wrote his memoir, "The 
21Carl Davis Story: The Man Behind The Music", in 2009, with 
 
 
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1music journalist Bill Dahl; at the time of his death, the Carl 
2H. Davis Music Foundation was being formed to promote awareness 
3and preserve the history of Chicago soul music, as well as 
4continuing his heritage; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Carl Davis is survived by his wife, Dedra; his 
6children, Pamela Davis, Carl H. Davis II, Trey Davis, Julio 
7Davis, Kelli Morris, Carleen Davis, and Jaime Davis; his 
8brother, George Davis; his grandchildren; and his 
9great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
11NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
12we mourn the passing of Carl Davis, and we extend our sincere 
13condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
14him; and be it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to the family of Carl Davis as an expression of our 
17deepest sympathy.