Bill Text: IL SR1449 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Dr. Donald Chatman.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-03-01 - Resolution Adopted [SR1449 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR1449-Introduced.html

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SR1449 LRB100 21004 MST 36682 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Dr. Donald Chatman; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chatman was born in New Orleans to Dr.
Aristotle Lorenzo and Eulacie S. Chatman in 1934 and raised in
Baton Rouge; he attended the Mount Herman School in Mount
Herman, Massachusetts and then earned his Bachelor of Arts in
Physical Anthropology from Harvard University; he earned his
medical degree at the Meharry Medical College of Medicine in
Nashville and opened a practice in general medicine in Lake
Charles, Louisiana; he then served as a captain in the United
States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1972; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chatman moved to Chicago to complete a
residency in OB-GYN at Michael Reese Hospital; in 1969, he
became one of the first African American physicians to serve as
an attending physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, serving
as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology on two separate occasions; he served as an
attending physician at South Chicago Community Hospital,
Provident Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Mercy
Hospital and Medical Center; at the time of his retirement, he
was an associate professor of Clinical Obstetrics and

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Gynecology at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chatman lectured both nationally and
internationally at organizations including the American
Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the International
Society for Gynecologic Laparoscopy, and the World Congress of
Gynecologic Endoscopy; he was featured on the Oprah Winfrey
Show and Good Morning America; he served as the first African
American president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary
of the Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL); he
also served as a member of the board of directors and as
associate editor of the journal of the same organization; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, Dr. Chatman was writing a book
memorializing the extraordinary journey of his father,
escaping sharecropping in Louisiana at the age of 14 to pursue
his education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chatman loved spending time with his family
and friends, reading and writing, playing golf, and traveling
the world with his wife and friends; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chatman was a member of the physician club,
the Saracens, and the social club, the Chicagoans; he and his
wife frequently supported local causes and organizations,
attending social events and fundraisers; and

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WHEREAS, Dr. Chatman was preceded in death by his parents
and two brothers; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chatman is survived by his wife, Linda C.; his
daughters, Lynn Chatman Todman (Michael) and Eleanor Louise
Chatman; his son, Eric Leveritt Chatman (Angela); his
mother-in-law, Lois Wilson; his father-in-law, James Wilson;
his stepsons, Carl R. and Bruce E. Golden (Marie); his cousin,
Fay Green; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and
numerous extended family members and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Dr. Donald Chatman, 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 Dr. Chatman as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.