HR1576 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1576 LRB094 22243 KXB 60930 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Louanner Peters, the first African-American woman to be named Illinois Deputy Governor; and

WHEREAS, The ninth of twelve children, Louanner grew up on a farm in Angie, Louisiana; her father died when she was eight, leaving behind a wife and twelve children, nine of whom still lived at home; during this time of family struggle Louanner's mother instilled into her children an awesome sense of family, responsibility, and perseverance; and

WHEREAS, Despite early hardships, Louanner graduated from high school and continued to pursue her education; she enrolled in Louisiana State University (LSU) where she earned a Bachelor's degree in political science; in 1969, while attending LSU, Louanner and a coalition of fellow students helped to elect Baton Rouge's first African-American city council member; Louanner relocated to Chicago where she earned her Master's degree in social work from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago; and

WHEREAS, In 1975 she served as founding Director of the Flannery Senior Health Care Center; with her public service career well underway, Louanner began a ten-year stint of service on Capitol Hill in 1981, serving as Chief of Staff for Illinois Congressman Gus Savage; while on Capitol Hill she sought to address issues related to social and economic inequities and civil rights injustices; Louanner's efforts influenced Illinois politics and policy for almost three decades; and

WHEREAS, From 1995 through 1998, Louanner served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Washington Convention Center Authority; under her leadership Washington D.C. built the largest structure in our nation's capital which is to this day a hub for economic growth; she then served as Deputy Director for Voter Empowerment for the NAACP, as well as Outreach Coordinator for the NAACP National Voter Fund; and

WHEREAS, In 1988 Louanner was confronted with a life-altering challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer; although it was one of her life's greatest obstacles, the journey became one of her greatest triumphs; her ability to tame the adverse affects of the disease added another dimension to her life-long commitment to advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Louanner's commitment to public service is resolute; she has served as a consultant to the United States Department of Defense, Breast Cancer Research Program, as a professional staff member on the Committee on Public Works, the Economic Development Subcommittee, and the Public Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Louanner has dedicated her life to many causes; in addition to her passions for breast cancer research and education, she has also worked tenaciously on policies in areas affecting senior citizens, families, and children; she is a diligent steward of Governor Blagojevich's priorities and policies; her leadership ensures State social service agencies are responsive to the needs of Illinois' citizens; and

WHEREAS, Louanner's story encapsulates the American spirit and through her contributions she has become one of Illinois' authentic treasures; her most treasured role in life, however, is that of mother to her son Joseph Peters, and grandmother to Joseph Peters Jr.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Louanner Peters on being named the first African-American woman to serve as Illinois Deputy Governor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Louanner Peters, as an expression of our respect and esteem.