SR0624 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0624 LRB095 20651 GRL 48894 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert E. Wooten, Sr. of Chicago, who passed away on March 27, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Robert E. Wooten, Sr. was born on February 17, 1930; he was the son of Flora and John Henry Wooten; he was a lifelong resident of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, In 1945, while attending Morgan Park High School, Robert E. Wooten, Sr. organized a gospel choral group, the Morgan Park Crusaders; after graduation, he was stricken by a serious illness and was hospitalized for a year; upon recovering from his illness, he devoted his life and musical talent to serving his faith; and

WHEREAS, Robert E. Wooten, Sr. devoted much of his life to his great faith; in July of 1949, he founded the Wooten Choral Ensemble, based at Beth Eden Baptist Church; today, the Wooten Choral Ensemble boasts more than fifty members and has traveled extensively to perform and preach the gospel, expressing a spiritual message through anthems, hymns, black spirituals, and gospel sounds; the Ensemble has recorded several albums and appeared on many local radio and television programs; he retired as the Minister of Music of Beth Eden Baptist Church after 60 years of service to the congregation; he also served as Director of Music for the Progressive National Baptist Convention and as a clinician throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, Robert E. Wooten, Sr. received his bachelor's degree in music education from the Chicago Musical Conservatory in 1956 and his master's degree from Roosevelt University in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Robert E. Wooten, Sr. received many awards and recognitions for his contributions to gospel music; he was given an honorary doctorate from Virginia Seminary College in 1983; he was recognized at the Chicago Gospel Festival in 1994 for his contributions to religious music; in 2004, he was listed by The History Makers for outstanding contributions in Music; in 2005, he was honored by NASPAAM (National Association for the Study and Performance of African-American Music) for his outstanding achievements in African-American music; and

WHEREAS, Robert E. Wooten, Sr. also enjoyed a distinguished career as an educator; during his tenure at Parker High School in Chicago, he led the school's choir to city-wide fame and rose to the rank of assistant principal before becoming a district administrator; he worked as a district administrator with the Chicago Board of Education until his retirement in 1994; and

WHEREAS, Robert E. Wooten, Sr. and his wife, Frances, were married since 1956; together, they had three children; 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 Robert E. Wooten, Sr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert E. Wooten, Sr. as an expression of our sympathy.