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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Nia Odeoti-Hassan; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan was born in 1948; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan exhibited exceptional
6leadership within the City of Springfield and throughout the
7State of Illinois; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan served as the policy and budget
9analyst for the Illinois Senate from 1981 to 2017; during that
10time, she became a trusted leader and mentor to countless
11bipartisan members of the General Assembly and Capitol staff;
12she served under five governors, four senate presidents, and
13four speakers of the house; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's dedication to healthcare,
15women's rights, and the expansion of education and access to
16politics remains unmatched; in 2001, she was an advocate for
17the Halal Food Act to require food labeled Halal be prepared
18according to Islamic Law; in 2009, she helped organize the
19first Muslim Action Day at the Capitol; she also introduced
20the Senate Page Program, allowing for high school and college
21students to shadow state senators; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan served as a Democratic precinct
2committeewoman for nearly 20 years and was a member of the
3Westside Democratic Club, now known as the Greater Springfield
4Democrats; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's combined love for advocacy
6and government earned her Golden member status in her
7sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., with over 50 years
8of service to the sorority's mission of service to all
9mankind; she also served as the sorority's committee chair and
10coordinator for the Illinois State Connection Committee
11throughout three regional administrations; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's kindness, leadership, and
13wisdom touched everyone within the radius of her communities
14of faith, family, and friends; she exemplified leading with
15integrity and intelligence in her professional life, her
16political life, and her beloved sorority; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Nia Odeoti-Hassan's legacy lives on through her
18daughter, Emma Hassan; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
20ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
21Nia Odeoti-Hassan and extend our sincere condolences to her

 

 

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1family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
2further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of Nia Odeoti-Hassan as an expression
5of our deepest sympathy.