Bill Text: IL SR1644 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Lester M. Brown of Danville.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-03-10 - Resolution Adopted [SR1644 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-SR1644-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Lester M. Brown of Danville, who passed
away on February 29, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown was born in Chicago to Robert L. and
Melissa Pauline Dixon Brown on September 1, 1938; he began
attending school in Cairo, and then after moving to Danville,
he attended Douglas Grade School, graduating 8th grade as class
valedictorian; he also attended Danville High School and
Danville Area Community College, where he received an Associate
Degree in Accounting; he served as a military police officer in
the United States Army from 1956 to 1958; and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown was employed at the Veterans
Administration Hospital and the Internal Revenue Service;
after retiring from the Internal Revenue Service, he and his
wife opened Brown's Accounting and Tax Service, serving the
Danville community for 34 years; he was also employed with East
Central Illinois Community Action Agency as Deputy Director;
and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown served as an Alderman on the Danville
City Council from 1987 to 2003; he was the first
African-American on the council after a 1987 federal court

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consent decree established the city's mayor-aldermanic form of
government; while on the council, he served two terms as
Vice-Mayor; he also served as City Treasurer from 2004 to 2007;
and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown was a former member of the Danville
Rotary Club; the Downtown Danville Rotary Club; Corinthian
Lodge #31 F & AM, Prince Hall Affiliated, State of Illinois;
the East Central Illinois Community Action Agency Governing
Board of Directors; the Danville Housing Authority Board; and
Scoutmaster, Troop 302, Laura Lee Fellowship House; he was
fundamental in organizing the Boys and Girls Club of Danville,
serving on the board for many years; he also served on the
Vermilion County Health Center Board and with Habitat for
Humanity, and Faith in Action; and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown was a former member of the Union
Missionary Baptist Church and served as church Treasurer; he
was a member of the Carter Metropolitan Christian Methodist
Episcopal Church, where he has served as a member of the
Steward Board and chaired that board for many years; he was
also the drummer in the church band and served on the Chicago
District Lay Council; and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown received numerous awards and
recognitions, including the Silver Beaver Scouting Award, the

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Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian Award, and the Danville Small
Business Award; he was especially proud of being a Scoutmaster
and was chosen to be a part of the national committee to revise
the Scout Handbook; and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown loved jazz music and played the drums
with the Main Course Jazz Band; he enjoyed cooking, reading,
gardening, and fishing with his friend, Carl Alexander; and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown was preceded in death by his parents;
his daughter; 3 brothers; and 2 sisters; and
WHEREAS, Lester Brown is survived by his wife of 35 years,
Brenda Collier Brown; his 5 children, Norvel Colemon, Adam
(Emma) Brown, Amy (Anthony) Thomas, Jason Brown, and Leslie
(Donnell) Wilson; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren;
his adopted children, Paula (Archel) Young, Michael Young,
Thomas Morgan, and Kecia (Brian) Mason; his three sisters,
Janice Washington, Leoda Brown, and Forgenia (Charles) Smith;
and his five brothers, Larry Brown, Wayne Brown, Alvarez
Severado, James (Verane) Young, and Marsiellis (Susan) Brown;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Lester M. Brown, and extend our sincere condolences to his

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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 Lester Brown as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.