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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sidney
4Gray Miller Jr., a 50-year resident of Illinois' 25th District,
5who passed away on November 12, 2018; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller was born on March 9, 1930 at Cook
7County Hospital and grew up an only child to Leverta Bates
8Miller and Rev. Sydney G. Miller Sr., a Baptist preacher who
9instilled a sense of service to the less fortunate by operating
10a soup kitchen out of their home on Sundays during the Great
11Depression; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller joined the Illinois National Guard
13while attending DuSable High School and achieved the rank of
14Master Sergeant before turning 21 years old; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller began his undergraduate education
16at the University of Illinois Navy Pier extension, now the
17University of Illinois at Chicago, before transferring to the
18Urbana-Champaign campus to major in physical education and
19become a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; and
 
20    WHEREAS, After earning his bachelor's degree in 1954,
21Sidney Miller was drafted into the United States Army, serving

 

 

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1for almost two years before being honorably discharged and
2returning to school to receive a master's degree in education;
3and
 
4    WHEREAS, After graduating, Sidney Miller began working at
5Chicago's Marshall School as a physical education teacher,
6track and field coach, and athletic director; and
 
7    WHEREAS, During his time at Marshall, Sidney Miller led his
8track team to a 1967 City Championship and a third place finish
9in the Illinois State championships; he served as a vital
10mentor to the young men under his leadership, inspiring many of
11them to follow his footsteps by becoming teachers and coaches;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller left Marshall School, where he was
14awarded honorary membership into the Marshall High School
15Alumni Association Hall of Fame, to become an associate
16professor and coach the brand-new track and field team at
17Chicago Teacher's College, now Chicago State University; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller continued his education at
19Roosevelt University, where he earned a doctorate in
20educational administration, in addition to gaining an advanced
21certificate in education; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller remained active in professional
2athletic organizations throughout his life; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller was devoted to arts and culture; he
4supported organizations including the Jazz Institute of
5Chicago, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and the Chicago Jazz
6Philharmonic and enjoyed pursuing his passions for photography
7and travel; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller was an active member of Trinity
9United Church of Christ and is remembered by his friends and
10family for his zeal for life, compassion for all, and service
11to his community; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller was preceded in death by his wife,
13Elizabeth; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Sidney Miller is survived by his children, Steven,
15Sabrina, and Dena and his grandson, DeVante Sherod; therefore,
16be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
18HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
19we mourn the passing of Sidney Gray Miller Jr. and extend our
20sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
21and loved him; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Sidney Miller as an expression of
3our deepest sympathy.