HR1001 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1001 LRB098 20884 MST 58480 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, State Representative Monique D. Davis and the members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Otis McDonald of Chicago, who passed away on April 4, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Otis McDonald was born in Louisiana in 1933; he settled in Chicago in 1952 after serving in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Otis McDonald worked as a janitor for the University of Chicago and worked his way up to maintenance engineer; while working at the U. of C., he earned an associate degree from Kennedy-King College; he retired in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Otis McDonald was the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that prompted the landmark United States Supreme Court decision that struck down Chicago's 28-year ban on handguns; and

WHEREAS, Otis McDonald felt strongly that he had a duty to stand up for the rights that had been taken away from African-Americans during slavery, including the right to bear arms; and

WHEREAS, Otis McDonald is survived by is wife, Laura, and by 4 grown children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Otis McDonald, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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