HR0783

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Rudolph 
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Sherman Jackson of Chicago, who passed away on October 12, 
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2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rudolph Jackson was born April 28, 1928 in Dayton, 
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Ohio, and moved to Chicago as a child; he received a diploma 
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for Electric Arc Welding from A &  S Vocational Welding School 
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and achieved many accomplishments in the field of welding; he 
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worked for Pullman Standard Car, the Ford Motor Company, and 
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Electro Motives before going into business for himself; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rudolph Jackson, at the urging of the late Mayor 
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of Chicago Harold Washington, took his welding talents and 
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opened Rudy's Construction; opening his enterprise in 1984 
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represented a second career for him, after working as a welder 
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for private companies for many years; while serving as a 
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volunteer in the campaign of Mayor Washington he was encouraged 
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by the late Mayor to open his business; the business thrived 
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and received contracts with the Chicago Public Schools and 
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other government agencies until the retirement of Mr. Jackson 
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in 2006; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rudolph Jackson served in the United States Army 
 


 






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and was honorably discharged; he was awarded the American 
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Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal and was an 
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honor guard for President Truman; he was an active veteran and 
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a life member of AMVETS and Chaplain of the 247th AMVETS Post; 
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and
 
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    WHEREAS, A devotee of Dr. Martin Luther King and an 
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advocate for civil and human rights, Rudolph Jackson 
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participated in the 1963 March on Washington, supported Dr. 
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King's work in Chicago, made the pilgrimage to Washington to 
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participate in the Million Man March, and was active in a 
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variety of political campaigns; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The father of Real Men Cook founder, Yvette Moyo, 
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Jackson participated in Real Men Cook for Charity as a cook and 
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helper, and was its spiritual inspiration; Mr.  Jackson was 
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saluted at last year's celebration as the ultimate "Real Man" 
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for being
a spiritual guide to the group; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson joined Trinity United Church of Christ 
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in 1987 and was a part of several ministries, including the 
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Men's Course and the Sanctuary Choir, and he was ordained as a 
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Deacon in 1993; he traveled to the continent of Africa on 
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several occasions, to Johannesburg, Capetown, and Durban, 
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South Africa as well as Ghana, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast in 
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West Africa, and Brazil and Haiti; at the request of Reverend 
 


 






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Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Mr. Jackson and Deacon Walter Jones 
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chaired the Men's Cell Group, a regular gathering of men that 
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includes readings, prayer,and  spiritual leadership and support 
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for male members of the church, and he was actively involved 
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with the group until his passing; and

 

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    WHEREAS, Rudolph Jackson was preceded in death by his son, 
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Steven Dwayne Jackson; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Rudolph Jackson is survived by his wife, Pauline; 
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his daughters, Yvette Jackson Moyo, Sherry King, and Cynthia 
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Stringfellow; his brothers, Walter and Rudell; his sister, Eva 
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Mae, nine grandchildren, seven bonus grandchildren, three 
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great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of 
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Rudolph Sherman Jackson; 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 Rudolph Sherman Jackson as a symbol 
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of our sympathy.