SR0462

LRB093 21555 HSS 48763 r






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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois 
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learned with regret of the death of Reverend James Solomon Benn 
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III of Springfield on Friday, March 12, 2004; and
 

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    WHEREAS, James Solomon Benn III was born January 20, 1921 
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in Greenville, South Carolina to Reverend James Solomon Jr. and 
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Lottie Mae Carter Benn; he married Flora Annetta Baber in 1950; 
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and
 

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    WHEREAS, Reverend Benn earned a bachelor's degree from 
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Wilberforce (Ohio) University, a master's degree from Columbia 
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University, and a theology degree from Garrett Evangelical 
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Seminary at Northwestern University; he earned a doctorate of 
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divinity in 1955 and a doctorate of humanities in 1985, both 
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from Monrovia College in West Africa; he also earned a 
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doctorate of divinity from B.F. Lee Seminary at Edward Waters 
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College; and
 

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    WHEREAS, Reverend Benn valiantly served his country in the 
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U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War; he served in 
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Europe and Asia and was commissioned a lieutenant in 1948; he 
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received several awards, including the Good Conduct Medal; he 
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also served in the ROTC; and
 

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    WHEREAS, Reverend Benn was a pastor at several churches, 
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including St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1981 
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and Ward Chapel AME Church in Peoria from 1955 to 1958, where 
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he also was a builder; and
 

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    WHEREAS, The work of Reverend Benn was published several 
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times; he received the Distinguished Personalities of the West 
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and Midwest award in 1972 and the NAACP Distinguished Religious 
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Award for Community Service in 1987; he was honored by the 
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Common Council Resolution; and
 

 


 






SR0462
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LRB093 21555 HSS 48763 r




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    WHEREAS, Reverend Benn was active in the community and had 
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served in the capacity of an officer for several organizations, 
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including the Sangamon County Community Service Block Grants, 
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where he was vice-president; the Illinois AME Conference, where 
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he was director of continuing education; the Illinois Annual 
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Conference, where he was chairman, board of admissions; the 
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Human Services Consortium, Fourth Episcopal District, where he 
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was executive secretary; and the State of Michigan, Handicapper 
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Concerns, where he was commisioner in 1979; he was a  charter 
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member and co-organizer of MacDougal/Hunt Citizens District 
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Council in Detroit, Michigan in 1977; and
 

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    WHEREAS, The passing of Reverend James Solomon Benn III has 
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been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Flora Annetta; 
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his sons, George Henry Benn and James Solomon Benn IV; his 
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daughter, Victoria D. Benn Rochelle; his three grandchildren; 
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and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
 

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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of 
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Reverend James Solomon Benn III, and we extend our deepest 
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sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
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him; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Reverend Benn as an expression of 
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our sincere condolences.