Bill Text: IL SR0708 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Deverra Beverly of Chicago.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2013-12-03 - Resolution Adopted [SR0708 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SR0708-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Deverra Beverly of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was born to Clyde Archibald and
Priscilla Foster; and
WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was a lifelong resident of the
ABLA Homes; she has become synonymous with her tireless efforts
to improve the quality of life in public housing; she often
went into action when a resident of public housing experienced
the loss of a loved-one and ensured grief-stricken families had
access to the ABLA Center; she was a teacher, confidant, and
role model for many of the professional, administrative, and
maintenance staff of the Chicago Housing Authority and private
management firms; and
WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly's commitment to public housing
came out of her having lived in public housing all of her life;
she moved into the ABLA Homes with her family in 1943; she held
numerous resident leadership positions within public housing
such as Vice-Chair and Interim Chair of the Central Advisory
Council, President and Treasurer of the ABLA Homes Local
Advisory Council, and Commissioner of the Chicago Housing
Authority, appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2009; and

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WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was the founding Chair of the
National Public Housing Museum; it was her vision and
commitment to create a world-class cultural and academic
institution that will forever preserve the stories of public
and social housing nationally and abroad; and
WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly implemented and coordinated many
programs, including a summer youth employment program, a
resident employment program, the "Safe Passage Program", the
annual ABLA Day gathering and picnic, income tax assistance
programs for seniors, a children's after school food supplement
program, "The Employability Plus" program", and "The After
School Matters" program; she produced and recruited for the
motion picture "Hardball" which was filmed within the ABLA
community and spearheaded Mayor Daley's Annual Clean and Green
Program; and
WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly was preceded in death by her
husband, William Pickens; her daughter, Christine Beverly; her
son, Eugene Beverly; and her grandson, Keith Rawls; and
WHEREAS, Deverra Beverly is survived by her sons, Kenneth,
Levert, Melvin, and William; her sisters, Rosetta and Mary Lou;
her grandchildren, Keith, Keni, Shonda, Tamika, Jeremy, Gwen,
Lamont, Daryl, Yolanda, Shevonne, Levert Jr., Salina, and

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Lakendra; a host of great-grandchildren; and a huge extended
family and special friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Deverra Beverly and extend our sincere condolences to her
family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Deverra Beverly as an expression of
our deepest sympathy and in recognition of all she has
contributed to the people of the ABLA Homes.