SR0664 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0664 LRB099 12772 MST 36580 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Kent Williamson of Champaign, who passed away on June 7, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Kent Williamson was born in Urbana to Joseph M. and Doris O. Williamson; he attended Leal and Thomas Paine elementary schools, Jefferson Middle School, and Champaign Centennial High School; he earned a bachelor's degree in advertising in 1980 and a master's degree in political science in 1982, both from the University of Illinois; after graduating, he spent several months serving with the Peace Corps in the Kingdom of Tonga; and

WHEREAS, Kent Williamson worked for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for 28 years, beginning in 1984; he served as Executive Director of the American Dairy Science Association from 1999 to 2001; he then returned to NCTE as Executive Director, a position he occupied for 14 years; and

WHEREAS, While at the NCTE, Kent Williamson spearheaded the establishment of the organization's office in Washington, D.C.; in 2006, and in 2011, he led the effort to create the National Center for Literacy Education; he is credited with guiding NCTE through the Great Recession, revolutionizing its structure, modernizing member services, and cultivating its advocacy outreach structure; in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the NCTE and the field of English/language arts and literacy education, the organization renamed its Washington, D.C. office the "Kent D. Williamson Policy and Advocacy Center" and established the Williamson Policy Advocate Summer Residency in Washington, D.C. for P-16 classroom teachers seeking experience in education policy; and

WHEREAS, Kent Williamson served on the board of the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation; he actively volunteered throughout the Champaign-Urbana area and coached all 3 of his sons in soccer, basketball, and baseball; and

WHEREAS, Kent Williamson is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lori; his 3 sons, Andy, Blake, and Evan; and his 3 brothers, Joseph M. Williamson, Jeffrey Williamson, and Earl Lawrence "Larry" Williamson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Kent Williamson, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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