HR0279 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0279 LRB102 18366 MST 26194 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Raymond Leroy Buckner, who passed away on April 23, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Buckner was born in Chicago to Rev. Elijah T. Sr. and Essie Mae (Mitchell) Buckner on July 29, 1947; he attended Parker High School in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, where he was a stand out wrestler; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Buckner found interest and joy in music, both as an instrumentalist and a vocalist, playing the piano, guitar, and alto saxophone; he was influenced by fellow Chicago musicians Jerry Butler, Sam Cooke, and Curtis Mayfield, with whom he would later collaborate; he made his recording debut with his brothers for the Sanla label in 1968 with their first song, Love You From The Bottom of My Heart; the group later changed their name to Buck and the 16th Movement and later signed with Hugh Heffner's Playboy Records; he continued to play music professionally for the remainder of his life; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Buckner was also an accomplished visual artist, mastering oil and acrylic painting; he was mentored by the famous artist and graphic designer Thomas Miller; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Buckner began a career in law enforcement in 1980 and worked as a Deputy Cook County Sheriff until his retirement in 2004, achieving the rank of sergeant; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Buckner married Yvonne Wynn on October 23, 1983; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Buckner is survived by his wife, Yvonne Wynn-Buckner; his daughters, Artiya (David), Natasha (Jorge), Lisa (Kenneth), and Kamille; his son, Kambium; and his grandsons, Donnovan, Dillon, Durrell, and Kenneth Jr.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Raymond Leroy Buckner and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Raymond Buckner as an expression of our deepest sympathy.