SR0251 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0251 LRB104 12167 MST 22268 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George Edward Manning II of the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, who passed away on January 13, 2025; and

WHEREAS, George Manning was the oldest of two children born to Jamesia and George Edward Manning Sr. in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, George Manning attended the March on Washington with his father when he was in elementary school after traveling by train to DC; and

WHEREAS, George Manning grew up studying painting, anatomy, figure drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics at the Art Institute of Chicago; he received a degree in Russian studies from Ripon College and advanced degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, George Manning played violin in an orchestra full of young gifted musicians at Northwestern University; he also played the piano for three United States presidents; and

WHEREAS, George Manning played the organ at the Washington Cathedral, Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park, Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, the Westminster Abbey Pipe Organ in London, England, and the First Congregational Baptist Church in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, George Manning presented 40 scholars each year at a scholarship cotillion, teaching them etiquette, helping them practice for the ACT and SAT, and teaching them dance and piano; and

WHEREAS, George Manning enjoyed coordinating activities of film production crews shooting scenes at the Psychiatry Institute; he helped establish shooting sites for the film Hardball, featuring Keanu Reeves; and

WHEREAS, George Manning worked at the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, focusing on autistic children with the agency program called Fall Between the Crack Youth; he was also an administrator for the University of Illinois Chicago Psychiatric Institute and served on the board of directors for the Alliance for the Mentally Ill Greater Chicago; and

WHEREAS, George Manning was the founder, president, or member of several Chicago neighborhood associations, including the Austin Schock Historical Association and the Society of Midway Park, and he was a panelist on the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, regarding Preserving Landmarks and Preserving Community; and

WHEREAS, George Manning restored his 18-room Victorian home, which has been named a Chicago historical landmark, making it a mainstay on the annual Austin Schock housewalk for years; and

WHEREAS, George Manning enjoyed visiting his homes in Switzerland and North Africa during September and October and traveling to other places such as England, Italy, and France when he could; and

WHEREAS, George Manning devoted his time and energy to the leadership and membership of First Immanual Lutheran Church, where his family has served and worshiped since 1954; he was one of the organists and helped with coordinating special events and designing the costumes for the annual Christmas pageant; and

WHEREAS, George Edward Manning is survived by his niece, Marie Anita Bell; his great-niece, Salina Simone; his God-mother, Fredonia Bey; his cousins, Carol A. Jones, Michael B. Jones, Victoria Jones, Monet Branch, Sylvia Williams, Bryan B. Cox, Stewart A. Cox, Rodney Jackson, Theresa A. Clay, Jessica A. Simmons, and Marc A. Rodgers; his honorary God-children; his First Immanuel Church Family; and numerous neighbors and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of George Edward Manning II 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 George Manning as an expression of our deepest sympathy.