SR1927 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1927 LRB099 22015 GRL 49188 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Boyse Edwards, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Boyse Edwards, Jr. was born on October 26, 1948; his parents were Boyse Edwards, Sr. and Christine Edwards; he was raised in the Henry Homer Homes; and

WHEREAS, Boyse Edwards, Jr. attended Birney Elementary School, McKinley Upper Grade Center, and Crane High School, where he graduated in 1967; he also attended the DeVry Institute, the United States School of Law Enforcement, John Marshall Law School, and Loyola University, where he received many certificates and degrees; and

WHEREAS, Boyse Edwards, Jr. worked at the Chicago Area Project from 1979 to 2015; he worked at the Youth Service Committee of the Westside from 1969 until his passing and was a founding board member and executive director of the James "Major" Adams Youth and Family Development Academy from 1990 to 2002; he was also a registered barber; and

WHEREAS, Boyse Edwards, Jr. was an avid community activist, focusing on juvenile delinquency prevention and gang intervention; he worked and assisted in many different community service organizations, such as the Chicago Intervention Network, the 13th District Youth Net at Marshall and Crane High Schools, and the Malcolm X College Annual Kwanzaa Celebration "Community Stepping Stones"; he also produced the community-based educational and informative CAN/T.V. programs "The Real Deal, Makes You Wanna Holla!" and "Speak on It".; and

WHEREAS, Boyse Edwards, Jr. had a great love for music; he was the "Maestro" and co-founder of the renowned "Ladies and Gentlemen of Leisure"; he was a member of the Henry Homer Hornets Drum and Bugle Corps under the direction of James "Major" Adams; under the instruction and mentorship of Major Adams, he began his commitment to community services as a leader, helping young people and families with his special gifts of compassion to serving the disenfranchised and disconnected; and

WHEREAS, Boyse Edwards, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Dorothy, Willie, Emma, Foster, Verna, and Napoleon; and

WHEREAS, Boyse Edwards, Jr. is survived by his daughter, Mia "Puff" Walker (Greg Walker, Sr.); his sons, Jawann Deloney, Reginald Bradley, and Fontain Lykes; his grandchildren, Gregory "Roe" Walker, Jr., Ariana Walker, Randall Bradley, Asia Bradley, and Kaylee Houston; his sisters, Nedra, Sandra, Brenda, and Anastasia; his special friend, Faye Parker; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Boyse Edwards, Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Boyse Edwards, Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.