HR0516 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0516 LRB094 12537 HSS 47072 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Irma Delores Player Hall, an outstanding citizen of the State of Illinois and an internationally acclaimed stage and film actress, was born on June 3, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas; and

WHEREAS, She worked as a teacher for several years, and after retiring from teaching in 1984, she relocated to Chicago, where she appeared in numerous stage productions, including her own play "Gentle Fire"; she twice earned Chicago's most coveted prize for drama, the Joseph Jefferson Award; and

WHEREAS, During the 1980s and 1990s, she also made a number of appearances on national television shows, including a Showtime production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "To Sir with Love II", which aired on CBS; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Hall finally received her big break in acting at age 60 in 1996, when she turned in an unforgettable performance as Aunt T, an 80-year-old blind woman, in "A Family Thing", a movie that also starred James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall; and

WHEREAS, She went on to star in several films, including "Collateral", "The Ladykillers", "Soul Food", and "Lesson Before Dying"; she has appeared in over 50 films and television shows; and

WHEREAS, As she has shown great courage in her recovery from a serious automobile accident that occurred in January of 2004, Ms. Hall continues to receive honors for her remarkable acting career, including a Career Achievement Award presented at the 40th Chicago International Film Festival, a nomination for this year's NAACP Image Award for Best Actress, and being named DuSable Museum of Chicago's 2005 Black History Maker; and

WHEREAS, In honor of her many accomplishments, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Chicago declared June 3, 2005, to be Irma P. Hall Day throughout Chicago; the day will be celebrated with a street dedication ceremony, a VIP reception, and many more activities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Irma P. Hall on the occasion of her 70th birthday and on having a day celebrated by the City of Chicago in her honor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Irma P. Hall as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for all of her future endeavors.