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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Albert
4 Blanchard Sr. on Friday, August 4, 2006; and
 
5     WHEREAS, He was born on April 10, 1945, in New Orleans,
6 Louisiana, to Samuel Blanchard Sr. and Everlena; his father,
7 mother, and two brothers preceded him in death; and
 
8     WHEREAS, He was affectionately called "Plute" as a child,
9 and he professed his love of Christ and attended St. Joseph
10 Catholic Church in Grosse Tete, Louisiana; at the time of his
11 death, he was a member of Traveling Zion Primitive Baptist
12 Church; and
 
13     WHEREAS, After graduating from Thomas A. Levy High School
14 in Rosedale, Louisiana, Mr. Blanchard attended Southern
15 University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; he was drafted into the
16 United States Army in 1966 and valiantly served his country,
17 earning the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star "V" for Valor,
18 two Army Commendation Medals "V" for Valor, the Vietnam Cross
19 of Gallantry, and the Purple Heart; he received an honorable
20 discharge in 1969 with the rank of Sergeant; and
 
21     WHEREAS, He was united in holy matrimony to Edna on
22 February 13, 1970; he worked for International Harvester,
23 AMFORTE Steel as a laborer, and the Veterans Administration
24 Hospital as a Laboratory Technician; and
 
25     WHEREAS, In 1970, Mr. Blanchard entered the Electrical
26 Apprenticeship Training Program and graduated as a journeyman
27 wireman electrician in 1974; he went on to become an Electrical
28 Inspector for the City of Chicago and was later promoted to
29 Deputy Commissioner of General Services, where he remained for
30 30 years until retiring in February of 2004; following

 

 

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1 retirement, he served as an advisor to State Representative
2 Milton Patterson; and
 
3     WHEREAS, He was active in the community, working tirelessly
4 with various organizations and committees and served as
5 president of the 17th Ward Democratic Organization; he was also
6 a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention and was
7 the recipient of numerous awards; he was a longstanding
8 dedicated brother of the Gilbralter Lodge #135; he also served
9 as "Most Worshipful Master"; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Mr. Blanchard was a hardworking, dedicated man,
11 rising from "picking cotton" in the South to Deputy
12 Commissioner for the City of Chicago; he was an inspiration to
13 a multitude of people, offering encouragement and support with
14 integrity; he was never one to brag or boast about his
15 accomplishments and good deeds; he meant what he said and said
16 what he meant, and you could always count on him; he was loved,
17 respected, and admired by family and friends alike; in the
18 tradition of his father, he was a dedicated family man who
19 encouraged, supported, and helped his family set and achieve
20 their goals; and
 
21     WHEREAS, The passing of Albert Blanchard Sr. has been
22 deeply felt by many, especially his devoted and loving wife
23 Edna; his daughters, LaTasha (Tony) Watts and LauRita; his
24 sons, Albert Jr. and Ashanti; his grandsons, Jerimie, Thomas,
25 and Sir Albert Jr.; his granddaughter, Jhyia Alanna; his
26 sister, Dorothy Rachael; his brothers, Thomas Blanchard and
27 Samuel (Shirley) Blanchard; his sisters-in-law, Lizzie (James)
28 Harvey and Ella Starks; his brothers-in-law, Edward Thomas and
29 Andrew (Gloria) Thomas; and his many nieces, nephews,
30 great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore,
31 be it
 
32     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

 

 

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1 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
2 we mourn the passing of Albert Blanchard Sr., and we extend our
3 deepest sympathy to his family, his friends, and all who knew
4 and loved him; and be it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6 presented to his family as an expression of our sincerest
7 condolences.