HR0990 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0990 LRB096 21527 GRL 38333 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Linda Marie White, the 26th international president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; and

WHEREAS, Linda White joined the Alpha Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha at Clark University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1960; after leaving Clark, she returned to Chicago and joined the Theta Omega Chapter, where she began her ascension up the leadership ladder; she served Theta Omega as its president and was active in its charitable arm, the AKArama Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Anxious to serve Alpha Kappa Alpha on a national level, Linda White successfully ran for international secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha and served from 1994 to 1998; she then ran for first vice president, which put her in line to be international president; she served in this capacity from 2002 to 2006; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure as international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Linda White focused on education, health, the arts, and the black family; her administration was responsible for the launch of the Young Authors program, which showcased the talents of children up to age 18; her administration provided a vehicle for exposing their works and a launching pad for their talent through the publication The Spirit Within; she is credited with the creation of the Centennial Traveling Exhibit, which captured highlights of AKA's 98-year-history in exhibits, dioramas, and interactive presentations; her administration also secured a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which enabled Alpha Kappa Alpha to establish the Ivy Reading AKAdemy, a tutorial haven for those youth who needed a place to improve their reading skills; and

WHEREAS, Linda White was active with the Links and served on the board of the United Negro College Fund; and

WHEREAS, Linda White was employed as a regional director with the Social Security Administration; and

WHEREAS, Linda White is survived by her sister, Judy White Rushing; her brother, Spruiell White (Nedra); her nephews, Adam and Albert Travis; and her many friends and colleagues, including the members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Linda Marie White; and be it further

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