SR0742 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0742 LRB095 21612 KXB 51667 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Nathaniel Berry of Alton, who passed away on May 21, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Berry was born June 30, 1924, in Alton, the eldest son of Charlie and Violet (Hutchinson) Berry; he celebrated 61 years of marriage to Roberta E. Berry, whom he married in April of 1943 in Springfield, Missouri; she died April 10, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He was a 1942 graduate of Alton High School, and attended Southern Illinois University studying labor management; he served in the United States Army as an engineer for a total of 11 years and was employed with Laclede Steel Company for 40 years, retiring in 1982; after retirement, he enjoyed collecting antique cars and being a member of the Alton Antique Car Association; and

WHEREAS, He was born and raised in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and served as trustee and chairman of the board at Allen Chapel for many years; he worked long and hard for the merger of the three A.M.E. churches in Alton and was a charter member of Unity Fellowship Church; and

WHEREAS, He was an active member in many organizations his entire life including, Boy Scout master, neighborhood commissioner, member of the Piasa Bird Council, George Washington Carver Hi Y and president for a number of years; he was inducted into the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers in 1979; he was a charter member of American Legion Post 354 and received a Certificate of Appreciation Award; as a young man, he became a member of Dunbar Lodge 97 Masons and served as head of all houses, receiving a 50-year pin; he served as Foster Township Precinct 2 committeeman, was a member of the Foster Township Board and worked on the present water system; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the Fosterburg Fire Department, was the last charter member with his name on the roll, chairman of the trustee board, and was involved in planning and building the department into a two-house fire department; he served as a member of the Regional School Board of Trustees for Madison County for 25 years, retiring in 1995; he was president of the NAACP for two years during the passing of the Civil Rights Bill and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy; he was a life member of the NAACP, and worked with the desegregation of Alton Public School System and the integration of many industries in Alton; in 2002, he received the 100 Black Men Living Legend Award; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Charles "Gene" Berry and George "Link" Berry; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Berry is survived by his four sons and their spouses, Robert and Sandra Berry, Nathaniel G. Berry, George and Janet Berry, and Richard and Kimberly Berry; his 13 grandchildren, Darrell, Kaela, Janell, Tonya, Tiara, Karen, Michael, Stephanie, Theresa, Angela, Wendy, Tiana, and Gabrielle; his 22 great-grandchildren; his great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, 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 Joseph Berry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph Berry as a symbol of our sympathy.