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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Lorraine H. Morton of Evanston, who 
4passed away on September 8, 2018; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Lorraine Morton was born in Winston-Salem, North 
6Carolina on December 8, 1918; the youngest of ten children, she 
7earned a master's degree in Education from Northwestern 
8University in 1942; while in Evanston, she met her husband, 
9James Morton; after living in Tuskegee, Alabama, they returned 
10to Evanston in 1953; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Lorraine Morton began her career in District 65 at 
12Foster Elementary School; in 1957, she made history as the 
13first African-American educator in Evanston to break the color 
14barrier and moved from the segregated Foster School to Nichols 
15Middle School; she later taught at Chute Middle School; in 
161977, she became the principal of Haven Middle School, where 
17she remained until her retirement from District 65 in 1989; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, In 1982, Lorraine Morton was appointed Evanston 
195th Ward Alderman, and she represented the City's 5th Ward 
20until 1991; in 1993, she again made Evanston history when she 
21was elected as the City's first African-American mayor; she was 
22re-elected three times and remained in office until 2009, 
 
 
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1becoming the City's longest-serving mayor; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Lorraine Morton dedicated her life to serving the 
3Evanston community as an educator and as a public officer; 
4after leaving office, Lorraine Morton remained an active 
5participant in the Evanston community; shortly after her 
6retirement in 2009, the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center was 
7named in her honor; she will be remembered as a remarkable 
8woman who was a valuable teacher, mentor, and friend; and
  
 
  
9    WHEREAS, Lorraine Morton was preceded in death by her 
10husband; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Lorraine Morton is survived by her daughter and 
12two granddaughters; therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
15Lorraine H. Morton and extend our sincere condolences to her 
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
17further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of Lorraine Morton as an expression of 
20our deepest sympathy.