SR0044 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0044 LRB096 07632 GRL 17730 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth H. Tate of Chicago, who passed away on January 21, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Tate was born on September 7, 1944 in Corpus Christi, Texas; he was the only child of Ferdie and Marchelee Tate; his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated from Sumner High School; and

WHEREAS, From 1964 to 1970, Kenneth Tate served in the United States Navy, where he was assigned to the VF 96 Fighter Squadron in San Diego, California; after his honorable discharge, he was employed for 17 years at General Motors; during that time, he became a loving father to his son, Marcus, and his daughter, Nikkea; and

WHEREAS, Determined to make a career change after his time at GM, Kenneth Tate attended Lindenwood College, graduating with a Bachelor's in Business Administration in 1989; soon after, he became an auditor for the City of St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, Kenneth Tate moved to Chicago, where he was hired by the City of Chicago's Department of Human Services; he ascended through the ranks, attaining the position of Accountant IV; shortly after moving to Chicago, he met Dawn Scarlett, whom he would eventually marry in July of 2008; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Tate was an avid sports fan who had excelled in high school football and enthusiastically kept up with his hometown teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and Rams, even after moving to Chicago; he was also an ardent fan of classic soul and the Motown Sound; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Tate is survived by his loving wife, Dawn; his children, Marcus Epps and Nikkea; his parents, Ferdie and Marchelee; his step-daughters, Samira Malik and Fatima (Craig) Simmons; his step-grandchildren, Craig, Jr., and Taylor; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Tate will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a charming, caring, and easygoing man whose authentic personality endeared him to everyone he met; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Kenneth H. Tate; and be it further

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