HR0122 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0122 LRB095 11150 KXB 31497 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Willye B. White of Chicago, the first American to compete in five Olympics, who passed away on February 6, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Willye White was born December 31, 1939, in Money, Mississippi, and was raised by her grandparents; she picked cotton to help her family earn money, while at the same time competing in sports; and

WHEREAS, Willye B. White competed in five consecutive Olympics from 1956 to 1972; in 1956 she was a 16-year old high school sophomore at her first Olympics in Melbourne, Australia when she won a silver medal in the long jump; it marked the first time a woman from the United States won a medal in that event; she won another silver medal as part of the team in the 4 X 100 meter relay in 1964 in Tokyo; and

WHEREAS, She was a member of more than 30 international track and field teams and won a dozen Amateur Athletic Union long jump titles in her career; and

WHEREAS, She founded the Willye White Foundation to help children and helped raise money for the underprivileged; she was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame, in addition to ten other hall of fame inductions; and

WHEREAS, Willye White coached, lectured, and served as president of the Midwest chapter of the U.S. Olympians for 12 years after her athletic career ended; and

WHEREAS, Willye White is survived by her brother and her sister; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Willye B. White; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Willye B. White as a symbol of our respect and sympathy.