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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Melvin Powell, Sr., who passed away on
4 November 5, 2009; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. was born on October 27, 1931,
6 in Belzoni-Isola, Mississippi; his parents were Bernice Powell
7 and Will Nunn Jr.; he married Dian Mitchell on April 7, 1962;
8 and
 
9     WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. and his mother moved to Chicago
10 when he was 4 years old; he attended Chicago Public Schools and
11 graduated from Farragut High School; he then received his
12 associate's degree in criminal justice from Wright Junior
13 College; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. was employed with the Arlington
15 Hotel, a railroad, and the United States Post Office before
16 joining the Chicago Police Department; he then served as a
17 policeman for 33 years, reaching the rank of Sergeant; he
18 retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2000; during his
19 illustrious career, he received over 200 Honorable Mentions and
20 was the recipient of the prestigious Cathy Osterman Award; and
 
21     WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. was an active member in his

 

 

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1 community; he served as an interim alderman for Chicago's 9th
2 Ward and was the treasurer of the Roseland Little League
3 organization; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. accepted Christ at an early
5 age; he attended Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church in
6 Belzoni, Mississippi; in Chicago, he attended Commonwealth
7 Community Church and served as a loyal steward and deacon at
8 New Life Christian Ministries of Greater Chicago for the past
9 17 years; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Melvin Powell, Sr. is survived by his loving wife,
11 Dian; his son, Melvin Jr.; his grandchildren, Ashley Dian and
12 Gabrielle Dian; and his great-grandchild, Taylor Diahn Sharon
13 Hunter; therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
15 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
16 his family and friends, the passing of Melvin Powell, Sr.; and
17 be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to the family of Melvin Powell, Sr. as an expression
20 of our sympathy.