Bill Text: IL SR1263 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Marion Louise "Penny" Sullivan Smith.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-11-16 - Resolution Adopted [SR1263 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR1263-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Marion Louise "Penny" Sullivan Smith,
who passed away on September 15, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Marion Smith was born to the union of Roosevelt
Pluitt and Ethel Sullivan in Chicago on September 15, 1933;
she was raised in what is now known as the Bronzeville area of
Chicago; she graduated from DuSable High School; and
WHEREAS, Marion Smith was pursued by several modeling
agencies and considered law school after high school; however,
her love for family led her to begin a family of her own; and
WHEREAS, Marion Smith was a hard worker with many talents;
she could sew and construct anything; her home was always
known as a showplace to all who visited; she will be remembered
for being a strong family person who loved everyone and
everyone loved; and
WHEREAS, Marion Smith was the oldest living heir to one of
America's heroic narratives; her grandmother, Carrie Williams,
was the first in U.S. history to file a lawsuit for the rights
of colored school teachers for equal pay in 1898; her case was
ultimately heard before the West Virginia Supreme Court, which

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ruled in her favor during the Jim Crow Era, bolstering equal
education rights for African American students statewide; her
legacy was noted by President Barack Obama in a letter to the
family, where he thanked the Smith family for Carrie Williams'
contributions, which paved the way for others; and
WHEREAS, Marion Smith was preceded in death by her
siblings, Roosevelt Pluitt Jr., Ethel, Dorothy, Charles,
Constance, and Othello; she was also preceded in death by
three children, Lolita Smith-Oliver, Michael Smith, and Freddy
Smith; and
WHEREAS, Marion Smith is survived by her children, Fred
(Leonette) Smith, Sharon A. (Lee) Taylor, Hakeem A. (Avonda)
Muhammad, and Andre (LaZondra) Smith; her grandchildren; her
great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,
and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Marion Louise "Penny" Sullivan Smith 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 Marion Smith as an expression of our

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deepest sympathy.