HR0548 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0548 LRB095 12546 KXB 37775 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former State Representative Sylvester O. Rhem of Chicago, who passed away on June 14, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Sylvester O'Neal Rhem was born November 19, 1929 to his parents, Edward and Martha O'Neal; he attended the Chicago Public Schools, graduating from McCosh Elementary School and Englewood High School, then attending Wilson Junior College; he later attended Loop Jr. College, completing the Public Service Program for Chicago Executive Development, and DePaul University for his Bachelors degree in Public Administration; and

WHEREAS, Sylvester Rhem was a member of the Chicago Police Department and was selected to serve on the elite Flying Squad; he distinguished himself as an officer and detective and earned 53 Honorable Mentions while working with the department; in February of 1965 he went on leave from the police department when he was selected for a leadership position with the newly formed Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity, the Chicago arm of the War on Poverty; and

WHEREAS, His hands-on leadership moved people to positive action and was one of Sylvester's greatest strengths; he served in several top positions in many communities including: Assistant Director at South Parkway, Douglas Park, and King Urban Progress Center, as Director of Englewood, Lawndale, and Near North Urban Progress Centers, as Area Manager of Lawndale, West Garfield, North Avenue, and Cabrini-Green Units, and the Garfield Service Center; in each community he was recognized for outstanding leadership and community service, receiving awards and citations, including being honored by the Illinois National Guard during the Chicago Riot following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King ; and

WHEREAS, Sylvester Rhem also served at Central Headquarters in several capacities, including: Assistant to the Director of Field Operations of Model Cities/CCUO and as Assistant Executive Director of Programs, coordinating the Mayor's Summer Baseball Program in 1976; he was also Assistant Director of Personnel for the Department of Human Services; in 1984 he received the Distinguished Community Service Award by the Concerned Black Executives of Social Service Organizations for all his hard work in the community; and

WHEREAS, Sylvester Rhem volunteered as a precinct captain in the 6th Ward and headed up the Volunteer Work Force in the 3rd Ward for Tyrone T. Kenner; in 1980 he was appointed State Representative of the 26th District and served on several committees and commissions during the 82nd General Assembly; he was reelected and served as State Representative for the 24th District; he was honored as one of the pioneers in the struggle by the History Makers and given a Distinguished Service award; he was instrumental in the passage of the Highway Funding Act and received awards from the Illinois Road Builders Association and General Contractors for Support and Leadership; and

WHEREAS, In retirement, Sylvester dedicated himself to working with his church, St. Columbanus, and served as president of the Usher Board, redesigning their operations; he was a committed worker, leader, and builder of the Knights of Peter Claver Council for St. Columbanus when the Council received the Council of the Year Award for 2000; he was awarded Grand Knight of the Year for the Northern State District for 2000; he received the St. Felicita's/St. Ailbe's African-American Image Award for Academic Excellence, Leadership, Christian Values, and Dedication to the Community and Community Service in 2002; On May 18, 2007 Sylvester was given the Sir Knight Sylvester Rhem presentation; and

WHEREAS, Sylvester Rhem was preceded in death by his mother, brother, Launy, and sister, Lois; and

WHEREAS, Sylvester Rhem leaves to celebrate his life and mourn his death his son, Michael Christopher Rhem; his adopted daughter, Stephanie Inis; his grandchildren, Tonia Duke, Leshun Duke, Wendy Bumphis, and Kayla Riley; his great-grandchildren; his special friend, Brenda Inis; a host of nieces and nephews; his lifelong friends, John Jarrett, John Ford, Leann Hagan (Bobby Trap), and Tyrone Kenner; as well as many other special friends; 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 former State Representative Sylvester O. Rhem; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sylvester O. Rhem as a symbol of our sympathy.