SR0638 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jesse A. "Tony" Clements of Champaign, who passed away on June 9, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Clements was born in Raleigh, North Carolina to Jesse Jr. and Doris Baugh Clements on February 24, 1949; he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois, where he was on the basketball team his freshman year and the football team after that; and

WHEREAS, While working on his graduate degree, Jesse Clements joined the Division of Campus Recreation at the university, where he remained for 38 years; in 1979, he was named its director, one of the first black men to hold that position at a major university in the United States; he also served as the official scorekeeper for the university for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Clements was active in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), serving as president of that organization from 1988 to 1989; he was presented the NIRSA Honor Award in 1996; in 2002, he won the University of Illinois' Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Award; he was named the recipient of the Monsignor Edward J. Duncan Service Award, presented annually a football letterman who has displayed exemplary dedication to his community, state, and country; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement, Jesse Clements was appointed as a board member of the United Way of Champaign County (UWCC); during his time with the United Way, he was the co-chair of the Annual Campaign, co-chair of the Pillar Committee, and co-chair of the Marketing Committee; he also served as a member of the UWCC's executive committee; in 2012, he was the UWCC interim CEO; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2014, Jesse Clements received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award from the National Philanthropy Association; he also joined the board of the Marajen Stevick Foundation; in May 2017, he was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a Friend of Basketball; and

WHEREAS, One of Jesse Clements' favorite pastimes was performing stand-up comedy; he produced his own annual comedy show, The Clements Comedy Cafe, from 1990 through 2014; throughout the 25 years, the Comedy Cafe supported a number of social service organizations, including the East Central Illinois Foodbank, the C-U Schools Foundation, and the Champaign Parks Foundation; he also performed with comedian Sinbad, emceed shows for Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, and had been the opening act for Jerry Butler and Ray Charles; in 1998, he was asked to be the warm-up act when President Clinton and Vice President Gore visited the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Clements' highest priority was his relationships with his family, friends, and community; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Clements was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Clements is survived by his companion, Debbie Shilts; his sister, Deborah Blanks; his nephew, Geraud Blanks (Element Everest); his great-niece, Karma Blanks; his stepmother, Lois Clements; his aunt, Cornelia Jane Jackson Liggins; and his uncle, Robert Jackson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jesse A. "Tony" Clements, 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 Jesse Clements as an expression of our deepest sympathy.