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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of John Quincy Jenkins of Chicago, who
4 passed away on November 14, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, John Quincy Jenkins was born May 19, 1935 in
6 Greenville, Mississippi and was the youngest of six children
7 from the union of Joseph and Nona Jenkins; the family moved to
8 Chicago when John was three months of age; he accepted Christ
9 at an early age at Beth Eden Baptist Church, located in the
10 Morgan Park Community; he later transferred his membership to
11 Wesley United Methodist Church, where he was an active member
12 until the time of his death; and
 
13     WHEREAS, On October 22, 1960, John was united in matrimony
14 to Betty Primus Jenkins and they were blessed with one daughter
15 (Sonja Jenkins Brown); John graduated from John D. Shoop
16 Elementary School and Morgan Park High School; after graduating
17 from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and
18 received an honorable discharge; upon discharge from the Navy,
19 John worked at various jobs while working as a custodian for
20 the Chicago Public Schools; and
 
21     WHEREAS, It was through the encouragement of many people
22 that he returned to school with a focus in special and primary

 

 

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1 education; John launched his teaching career in 1971 as an
2 eighth-grade instructor at the westside based Daniel Webster
3 Elementary School, and later taught at Bass Elementary School;
4 he also taught social science at Taft, Corliss, King, and
5 Harlan High Schools; and
 
6     WHEREAS, John continued his higher education studies at
7 Chicago State University where he received a master's degree in
8 supervision and administration in 1977; his first
9 administrative position was as an Assistant Principal for Wells
10 Academy High School, located on the City's north side; while
11 John was working for the Chicago Public Schools, he
12 simultaneously worked as Branch Director from 1973 to 1975 at
13 the Chicago Youth Center located in the Cabrini Green Public
14 Housing Development; in 1991, John was appointed as the first
15 African-American principal of Esmond Elementary School,
16 located in the Beverly-Morgan Park community; and
 
17     WHEREAS, After retiring from the Chicago Public Schools, he
18 continued to work in various educational capacities as
19 principal of Prairie Hills Junior High School in Markham,
20 Education Facility Administrator of Illinois Youth Centers at
21 Chicago, Assistant Principal of Illinois Youth Centers of
22 Valley View, and he provided staff development for various
23 organizations; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, John performed various community services as a
2 member and past president (1991-2005) of the John D. Shoop
3 49ers Alumni Association, the Beulah G. Smith Education
4 Foundation, the South End Principals Association, University
5 of Illinois affiliate, and a member of Phi Delta Kappa; and
 
6     WHEREAS, He also received awards from the Rosemoor
7 Community Association as a Distinguished Community Leader
8 (1978 & 1979), the Community Leadership Award from the
9 Department of Human Services (1981), and the Educator of the
10 Year Award from the Beulah G. Smith Foundation (1993); he was a
11 participant in the Chicago State University Phi Delta Kappa
12 organization (1996); and he was active with his bowling league,
13 AARP, and the Department of Aging Ombudsman Program; and
 
14     WHEREAS, His parents, a sister, and brother preceded him in
15 death; and
 
16     WHEREAS, John's precious memories will be cherished by his
17 loving and devoted wife, Betty Primus-Jenkins; his beloved
18 daughter, Sonja Jenkins Brown; one grandson, who he loved and
19 admired dearly, Ronald Brown Jr.; two brothers, Edward Jenkins
20 (Clara) and Joseph Jenkins; one sister, Lu Bertha Jenkins; one
21 uncle, James Johnson; nine sister-in laws; seven
22 brothers-in-law; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews,
23 family, friends, colleagues, and students; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
2 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
3 his family and friends, the passing of John Quincy Jenkins; and
4 be it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6 presented to the family of John Quincy Jenkins as a symbol of
7 our sincere sympathy.