SR0411 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0411 LRB099 12115 MST 34808 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Constance Lee Goode, Ph.D. of Rockford, who passed away on April 14, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Goode was born in Chicago on August 9, 1938 to Leroy and Emma (nee Barbee) Boyd; she grew up in the church at Prairie Avenue Baptist, playing piano for Sunday school and church services; she graduated from Englewood High School in 1956; she received her Bachelor of Arts from Illinois State University in 1959, her master's degree in counseling from Northern Illinois University in 1971, and her Doctorate in Continuing Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1982; additionally, she studied music at the Chicago Conservatory of Music and loved all kinds of music; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Goode's vocational experiences included the St. Charles Detention Center For Boys, where she was an Occupational Therapist; the Singer Zone Center, where she was a social worker; the Office of Economic Opportunity, where she served as the Director of Outreach; the Rockford Board of Education, where she was a teacher, counselor, and administrator; the Booker Washington Center, where she served as the Executive Director; and Northern Illinois University, where she was a professor in Curriculum and Instruction; although she served in many capacities, her first love was teaching and counseling; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Goode marched for civil rights alongside the late Dr. E. H. E. Gilbert in the 1960s and fought for those who were not always able to fight for themselves, particularly as it relates to issues affecting women and people of color; she was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church and several organizations, including the NAACP, TAUS, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Goode was recently honored with a Selah Award for her work as an African-American woman educator; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Goode was preceded in death by her parents; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Goode is survived by her husband, Alphonso; her son, Andre (Kimberley); her daughter, Alicia (Zeather Gladney); her grandchildren, Krystalyn, Garrison, Gabriella, and Kaylyn; and a host of dear friends, card buddies, and former students whose lives were touched by her passion for excellent; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Constance Lee Goode, Ph.D., and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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