Bill Text: IL HR0818 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Annie Jo Gordon of Peoria.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)

Status: (Passed) 2010-01-13 - Resolution Adopted [HR0818 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HR0818-Introduced.html

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HR0818 LRB096 17673 KXB 33035 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Annie Jo
Gordon of Peoria, who passed away on December 20, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Annie Jo Gordon was born on January 10, 1941, in
Marion, Louisiana; her parents were George Lewis and Emma Lee
(Williams) Hunter; she married Cleveland "Sonny" Gordon Sr. on
November 22, 1969; and
WHEREAS, Annie Jo Gordon received her associate's degree
from Illinois Central College in business management; she also
studied the business curriculum at Midstate College; and
WHEREAS, Annie Jo Gordon had a long and distinguished
career in community service, which spanned from 1961 to 2008;
she was the first African-American employee to work at the
Peoria Journal Star newspaper; she served with the National
Corporation of Israel and served as secretary to the
administrator of the American Red Cross Regional Blood Center;
she rose through the ranks at the Peoria Tri-County Urban
League, working various positions leading up to her role as
director of employment; in 2006, she retired from the Peoria
Tri-County Urban League after 41 years of service, but
continued her service well into 2008; and

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WHEREAS, Annie Jo Gordon was a member of numerous community
organizations; she was a past member and chairwoman of the
Upgrade Board of Directors, the PCCEO, and the YWCA; she was a
member of the American Cancer Society, the League of Women
Voters, the District 150 School Board Advisory Committee,
Easter Seals, and the Arts and Cultural Activities; she was
also affiliated with the Heart of Illinois United Way Loaned
Executive Program, the Peoria Chamber of Commerce Leadership
School, the ICC Adult Re-Entry Council, the Apprenticeship
Advisory Group, and the Christian Education Board; and
WHEREAS, Annie Jo Gordon was the recipient of numerous
awards for her community service, including the Valeska S.
Hinton Minority Advocacy Award, the Betty Osborn Award, the
YWCA Leadership Award, and the Black Women's Network Award; and
WHEREAS, Annie Jo Gordon was a faithful member of New
Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a
deaconess and member of the trustee board; and
WHEREAS, Annie Jo Gordon is survived by her husband,
Cleveland Sr.; her sons, Joel Clayton Johnson Sr., Jonathan
Lewis (Dedra) Johnson Sr., Jamal David (Rosie) Gordon, and
Cleveland Lydell Gordon Jr.; her daughters, Shando (Don)
Harris, Chantay (Corey) Gray, Antoinette Ramona (Cornelius)

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Donald, and Illinois State Representative Jehan Alea Gordon
(Derrick Booth); her foster sons, Marcus Demario Williams and
Michael Dewayne Williams; her 12 grandchildren and 3
great-grandchildren; and her many other relatives and friends;
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 Annie
Jo Gordon; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Annie Jo Gordon as an expression of
our sympathy.