HR0463 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0463 LRB095 12282 GRL 36822 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, State Representative Monique D. Davis and the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Carl Wright of Chicago, who passed away on May 18, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Carl Wright was born in 1932 in Orlando, Florida; he was one of nine children; and

WHEREAS, As a boy, Carl Wright longed to be an entertainer; he attended college in Atlanta, but his true loves were dancing, singing and telling jokes; before long, he was traveling the country; he arrived in Chicago in the early 1950s and soon began working at various South Side clubs; he started his career dancing and performing comedy by himself; he then met a man named Frank James, who had one leg; they got together and called themselves the Three-Leggers; James and Mr. Wright worked together for several years, doing a dance-and-comedy routine; they took their show on the road, traveling as far as Canada to perform; while performing at the Club DeLisa in Chicago, he met his wife, Shirley, who was a chorus-line dancer; and

WHEREAS, Soon after their wedding, Carl Wright went into the Army for two years and was stationed in New Jersey; while in the service, he won an all-Army talent show; when he was discharged, Mr. Wright returned to Chicago; he worked steadily, emceeing events and doing stand-up comedy until 1987, when he joined his friend Pervis Spann as co-host of the local cable TV show "Blues & More"; over the years, he and Pervis Spann interviewed celebrities such as B.B. King, Jamie Foxx, and Bernie Mac; a decade later, the producers of the movie "Soul Food" saw Mr. Wright on the program; they enjoyed his performance and gave him the role of Reverend Williams; he had also appeared in the movies Barbershop, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Big Momma's House, and The Cookout; and

WHEREAS, Carl Wright is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley; his brothers, Charles, Clarence, and Billy; his sisters, Sherrie Wright and Diane Wright-Cahee; his daughters, Kia Wright and Linda Fowler; and his four grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Carl Wright; and be it further

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