SR1644 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1644 LRB099 20958 MST 46012 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lester M. Brown of Danville, who passed away on February 29, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown was born in Chicago to Robert L. and Melissa Pauline Dixon Brown on September 1, 1938; he began attending school in Cairo, and then after moving to Danville, he attended Douglas Grade School, graduating 8th grade as class valedictorian; he also attended Danville High School and Danville Area Community College, where he received an Associate Degree in Accounting; he served as a military police officer in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown was employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Internal Revenue Service; after retiring from the Internal Revenue Service, he and his wife opened Brown's Accounting and Tax Service, serving the Danville community for 34 years; he was also employed with East Central Illinois Community Action Agency as Deputy Director; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown served as an Alderman on the Danville City Council from 1987 to 2003; he was the first African-American on the council after a 1987 federal court consent decree established the city's mayor-aldermanic form of government; while on the council, he served two terms as Vice-Mayor; he also served as City Treasurer from 2004 to 2007; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown was a former member of the Danville Rotary Club; the Downtown Danville Rotary Club; Corinthian Lodge #31 F & AM, Prince Hall Affiliated, State of Illinois; the East Central Illinois Community Action Agency Governing Board of Directors; the Danville Housing Authority Board; and Scoutmaster, Troop 302, Laura Lee Fellowship House; he was fundamental in organizing the Boys and Girls Club of Danville, serving on the board for many years; he also served on the Vermilion County Health Center Board and with Habitat for Humanity, and Faith in Action; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown was a former member of the Union Missionary Baptist Church and served as church Treasurer; he was a member of the Carter Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where he has served as a member of the Steward Board and chaired that board for many years; he was also the drummer in the church band and served on the Chicago District Lay Council; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Silver Beaver Scouting Award, the Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian Award, and the Danville Small Business Award; he was especially proud of being a Scoutmaster and was chosen to be a part of the national committee to revise the Scout Handbook; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown loved jazz music and played the drums with the Main Course Jazz Band; he enjoyed cooking, reading, gardening, and fishing with his friend, Carl Alexander; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter; 3 brothers; and 2 sisters; and

WHEREAS, Lester Brown is survived by his wife of 35 years, Brenda Collier Brown; his 5 children, Norvel Colemon, Adam (Emma) Brown, Amy (Anthony) Thomas, Jason Brown, and Leslie (Donnell) Wilson; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his adopted children, Paula (Archel) Young, Michael Young, Thomas Morgan, and Kecia (Brian) Mason; his three sisters, Janice Washington, Leoda Brown, and Forgenia (Charles) Smith; and his five brothers, Larry Brown, Wayne Brown, Alvarez Severado, James (Verane) Young, and Marsiellis (Susan) Brown; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lester M. Brown, 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 Lester Brown as an expression of our deepest sympathy.