HR0701

LRB094 12814 CSA 47658 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the death of 
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Joseph Howard Haley of Chicago, the founder and executive 
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director of Jackie Robinson West Little League, on June 13, 
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2005; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Haley was born October 24, 1933, in Enoch, 
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Louisiana, the only child of Lucille Bailey Clark and Mayshell 
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Clark; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church in 
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Bogalusa, Louisiana; he later joined Beth Eden Baptist Church 
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in Chicago; and

 
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    WHEREAS, At Central High School, Joseph Haley was an honor 
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student and president of the student council and enjoyed 
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playing basketball and baseball; he had a passion for sports 
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from an early age and was committed to a lifetime of playing 
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sports and organizing and managing teams; after graduating, he 
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received a basketball scholarship to Grambling State 
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University but chose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force; after his 
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tour of duty, he enrolled in Grambling State University and 
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received a B.S. degree in physical education; he later 
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graduated from DePaul University with a M.A. degree in 
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Administration and Guidance; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He married Annie Brown and they had three 
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children, William, Richard (deceased), and Joseph; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was employed by the Chicago Board of Education; 
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in 1971, he founded the Jackie Robinson West Little League 
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(JRW), a world-class youth program that has been a gateway for 
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wholesome recreation, positive influence, leadership training, 
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and self-confidence for thousands of youth; over the last 35 
 


 






HR0701
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LRB094 12814 CSA 47658 r




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years, Joseph Haley led JRW to 18 State Championships, 
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participated in five World Series Championships, one United 
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States Championship, seven Regional Championships, and won 
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over 75 District 4 Championships; and

 
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    WHEREAS, His devotion, determination, love, passion, 
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loyalty, guidance, never-quit spirit, and the legacy he 
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established and the impact he made in the lives of so many will 
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be forever remembered; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The passing of Joseph Howard Haley is felt by all 
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who knew and loved him, especially his wife of 43 years and 10 
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months, Annie; his children, William (Sharon) and Joseph Glenn 
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(Rona); his grandchildren, Jessica, Jazmine, Adam, and Joshua; 
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his adopted sister, Rosemarie Ingram; his brothers-in-law and 
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sisters-in-law, Veola, Earl (Sherman), Hazel (Dennis), Gloria 
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(Melvin), and Edward (Mary); his 14 nieces and nephews, his 15 
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great-nieces and nephews; his many cousins and other relatives 
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and friends; his Jackie Robinson West family; and his team, the 
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Little League Dodgers; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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we mourn the passing of Joseph Howard Haley and extend to his 
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family and friends our thoughts and prayers during this 
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difficult time; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to his family as an expression of our deepest 
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sympathy.