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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Samuel A.
4 Patch on Wednesday, January 5, 2005; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Samuel A. Patch was born in Chicago on September
6 24, 1933, and remained a life-long resident of the city to
7 which he made such significant contribution; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Mr. Patch graduated from Englewood High School and
9 earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from
10 Kentucky State College; and
 
11     WHEREAS, He served his country as a member of the United
12 States Armed Forces; and
 
13     WHEREAS, He was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi
14 Fraternity; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Mr. Patch was both a dedicated teacher in the
16 Chicago Public School System and played semi-professional
17 football for the Chicago Crusaders; and
 
18     WHEREAS, He was the loving father of Shari Wilson,
19 grandfather of four, affectionate brother of eight siblings
20 with four surviving siblings, and was uncle, mentor, and
21 cherished friend to many; and
 
22     WHEREAS, Samuel A. Patch was an astute businessman and
23 entrepreneur, acting as Manager of the Black Trey, owner of a
24 Northside nightclub, owner of International Trade Projects,
25 and owner/operator of Balton Corp., a restaurant, janitorial,
26 and paper supply company; and
 
27     WHEREAS, Mr. Patch believed in and contributed to the

 

 

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1 intellectual and political growth of the City's youth via
2 membership in the Illinois High School Association,
3 Directorship of the Third Ward Christmas Baskets and Family
4 Christmas parties for over 4,500 children, and in executive
5 officer positions with the Study Program for Elementary
6 Students, Cook County Young Democrats, and the District 13
7 Educational Advisory Council; and
 
8     WHEREAS, He made innumerable contributions to the city and
9 his community via service as Assistant Director of Model
10 Cities-Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunities, as Chair of
11 Model Cities Near South Area Planning Council, as Director of
12 the Decisive Aspirational Development Program, as a member of
13 the Citizens Review Committee for Grants from the State
14 Department of Mental Health, as Vice President of the City-wide
15 Citizen Advisory Board on Mental Health, as a member of the
16 Advisory Board Firman United Christian Community Services, as
17 Co-Chair of the Harold Washington Stamp Committee, and as
18 Founding Member of the Human Resources Development Institute
19 (HRDI); and
 
20     WHEREAS, Mr. Patch stood with courage and determination in
21 the movement for political empowerment of his community,
22 serving as Founder of the National Black Political Convention,
23 Chairman of the Illinois Black Political Assembly, Instructor
24 in political education classes for Chicago Black United
25 Communities (CBUC) and the Charles A. Hayes Center, as a Board
26 Member for the National Black Political Coordinating
27 Committee, a member of the Task Force for Black Political
28 Empowerment, and a member of the Harold Washington Institute
29 for Research and Political Studies; and
 
30     WHEREAS, He was close friend, confidant, and advisor on
31 political strategy to the City's first African American Mayor,
32 Harold Washington, serving the Mayor prior to and during his
33 mayoralty and continuing thereafter to preserve Mayor

 

 

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1 Washington's ideals and legacy by acting as District
2 Administrator in the historic First Congressional District, as
3 Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and as a member of the
4 Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Archives and
5 Collections Committee and the Harold Washington Think Tank; and
 
6     WHEREAS Mr. Patch stood for fairness in government and in
7 the electoral process, spearheading successful efforts for the
8 adoption of a reapportionment map to ensure electoral
9 representation and the retention of three Majority-Black
10 Congressional Districts, an effort that earned him the
11 sobriquet "Mr. Superb" by the Chicago Sun-Times, and serving as
12 a Delegate to the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention; and
 
13     WHEREAS, He leaves a legacy of excellence, intellect,
14 dedication, and courage to the many young people whom he
15 befriended, mentored, and urged to follow him in leading lives
16 of progressive political, social, and community activism;
17 therefore, be it
 
18     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
19 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
20 mourn the death of Samuel A. Patch, and we extend our deepest
21 sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
22 him; and be it further
 
23     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
24 presented to the family of Mr. Patch as an expression of our
25 sincere condolences.