SR0458 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0458 LRB095 15091 GRL 41052 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John "J.D." Edwards, who passed away on November 8, 2007; and

WHEREAS, John Edwards was born on January 11, 1930 in Sunflower County, Mississippi; his parents were Clara and Shalmus Edwards Sr.; he married his high school sweetheart, Erma Lee Black, in 1950; and

WHEREAS, John Edwards developed a love of music as a child in the 1940's when he learned to play the saxophone; his love of music led him to a music scholarship to Jackson State College in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, John Edwards moved with his wife to Chicago in 1952; shortly after his move to Chicago, he gained employment with the Belt Railroad Company, where he served as a switchman for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, After his tenure with the Belt Railroad Company, John Edwards began a new career as an agent, then as a manager, with the National Life Insurance Company; he was honored as a "Millionaire Salesman" for 10 consecutive years during his career there; and

WHEREAS, In 1974, John Edwards retired from the National Life Insurance Company and opened a retail clothing business, which still provides a valuable service to the Roseland community after 33 successful years; and

WHEREAS, John Edwards was actively involved in many community organizations; he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Chicago South Chambers of Commerce; he was the founder and president of the Roseland Business Development Council, serving from 1979 until his death; he was the treasurer of the Board of Trustees for Roseland Community Hospital from 1988 until 1999; he also served as vice-president of the Neighborhood Housing Service of Chicago in Roseland until his death, among many other organizations he served during his lifetime; and

WHEREAS, John Edwards was the recipient of many awards in recognition of his many contributions to the community; he was the recipient of the Top Hat Club Award from 1973 to 1983, the Hometown Hero Award in 2003, and the 2006 Chicago Senior Citizen Hall of Fame Award; and

WHEREAS, John Edwards was preceded in death by his parents, Clara and Shalmus Edwards Sr., and his wife, Erma Lee Black; and

WHEREAS, John Edwards is survived by his children, Gwendolyn Edwards-Osborne, Clara Lavizzo, John Edwards Jr., and LeDall Edwards; his grandchildren, Janeen Osborne, Timiko Lavizzo, Andrea Osborne, John Edwards III, and Leda Edwards; his 8 great-grandchildren; and his many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

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

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