Bill Text: IL HR1292 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Leon Conner.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-11-19 - Resolution Adopted [HR1292 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-HR1292-Introduced.html

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HR1292 LRB098 22977 GRL 61937 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Leon
Conner, who passed away on October 5, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner was born on August 26, 1918 in
Carthage, Texas; his parents were Marvin and Selma Thomas
Conner; he married Odie Marie Leary on April 24, 1942 in
Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner grew up on small farmhouse, where he
was taught at an early age the importance of faith, family
values, and education which he carried throughout his life;
after graduating from high school, he moved to Chicago; in
1941, he settled in Maywood; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner was drafted into the United States
Army in August of 1942 during World War II; during his military
career, he served as a First Sergeant and was responsible for
training over 120 soldiers under his command while serving in
Texas; after his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to
Maywood to be with his family; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner was employed as a machinist at
Commonwealth Edison, where he retired after 43 years of

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service; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner was very involved with the Maywood
Village Board and local government organizations; he also
worked with a host of community activists, politicians, and
volunteer groups and donated to various charities and
non-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner was an organizing member of the
Maywood branch of the NAACP, the Maywood Bataan Committee, the
Maywood Zoning Committee, and American Legion Emanuel L. Young
Post 838; he also served as Treasurer of the Christian Action
Ministry, committeeman for the Proviso Leyden Council for
Community Action, and co-founder of the Home and Neighborhood
Defenders Society with his son, former Mayor Ralph Conner; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner was a huge car enthusiast and enjoyed
restoring old cars, listening to music, and reading classical
and historical books; he also enjoyed traveling the country in
his RV with his family; and
WHEREAS, As a child, Leon Conner attended Mt. Zion
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; he and his wife later
joined Canaan African Methodist Episcopal Church and worshiped
there for many years under Reverend Higgenbotham and Reverend
J.W. James; and

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WHEREAS, Leon Conner was preceded in death by his parents;
2 siblings, Inez Jones and Herese Bowman; his wife, Odie Marie;
and 3 children, Thomas Earl, Ralph Wesley and Alva Cheryl; and
WHEREAS, Leon Conner is survived by 3 daughters, Joy,
Marilyn, and Melody; a sibling, Vater Fite; 13 grandchildren;
15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and
friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of
Leon Conner; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Leon Conner as an expression of our
sympathy.