HR1404 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1404 LRB099 23070 GRL 50521 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Dr. Conrad Walter Worrill on the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of employment at Northeastern Illinois University as Professor, Department Chair, and Academic Program Coordinator, and 12 years as the Director of the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conrad Worrill, an internationally-acclaimed scholar, educator, and activist, received his bachelor's degree from George Williams College, his master's degree from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin; his major field of study has been black political and movement history, social theory, and curriculum and instruction, with emphasis on the delivery of social and educational services in the African American community; and

WHEREAS, For over 50 years, Dr. Conrad Worrill has been an active participant in the black power, civil rights, and human rights movements; he has served as the chairman of the National Black United Front for 26 years and is now the group's chairman emeritus; he was also the special consultant for field operations for the historic Million Man March, a lifetime member for the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, and a street organizer for Harold Washington's mayoral campaign; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conrad Worrill is a member of the Kemetic Institute, the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations, the Communiversity, the Universal Negro Improvement Association-African Communities League, and the Association of African Historians; he also served as a board member of the Black United Fund of Illinois for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conrad Worrill's work has been nationally known since 1983 through a syndicated column in major African American newspapers around the country and his writings have appeared in numerous publications in the U.S.; he was a radio talk show host on Chicago's WVON Radio for over 10 years; he is also a knowledgeable and dynamic speaker and is constantly requested to lecture all over the world; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conrad Worrill's activism has been distinguished by his leadership in organizations and activities that have been at the forefront of social and racial justice, African-centered education, African liberation, and self-determination for people of African descent; he has advanced causes such as educational restructuring, human rights, reparations, and political empowerment for the black community; his life's work has demonstrated his commitment to "speaking truly and doing right"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Conrad W. Worrill on the occasion of his retirement and thank him for his years of dedication and service to the communities he has helped throughout his career; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Conrad Worrill as a token of our respect and esteem.