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SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of the "Queen of Gospel" Dr. Albertina
4Walker of Chicago, who passed away on October 8, 2010; and
 
5    WHEREAS, She was born in Chicago in 1929; at the age of 4
6she began singing in the children's choir at West Point Baptist
7Church; and
 
8    WHEREAS, At the age of 22 she formed her own gospel group,
9Caravans, at the urging of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson; their
10many songs included: "Sweeping Through the City", "Mary Don't
11You Weep", and "Lord Keep Me Day By Day"; and
 
12    WHEREAS, After a successful career with the Caravans she
13embarked on a solo career that included the release of songs
14such as "I've Got A Feeling Everything Will Be Alright", "Jesus
15Will Fix It", "Please Be Patient With Me", and "I Can Go To God
16In Prayer"; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Over the course of her life she received many
18awards, including Stellar Awards, Grammy Awards, and many
19others; she sang for presidents, world leaders, and others, as
20well as launching the careers of James Cleveland, Shirley
21Caesar, Inez Andrews, and many more gospel entertainers; and

 

 

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2    WHEREAS, In 1989 she started the Albertina Walker
3Scholarship Foundation, giving money and support to aspiring
4musicians, singers, and artists; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Albertina Walker is survived by many nieces and
6nephews; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
9her family, friends, fans, and the many people she influenced
10over the years with her music, the passing of Albertina Walker;
11and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the family of Albertina Walker as a symbol of our
14sincere sympathy.