HR1218

LRB095 20869 GRL 49721 r






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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
Wenona E. 
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Thompson, beloved community servant and friend, who passed away 
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on February 23, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Wenona E. Thompson was born on November 27, 1975 
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in Chicago; her parents were the late Johnny L. Owens Jr. and 
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Rosemary Thompson; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In her short life, Wenona E. Thompson went from 
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being a nearly invisible presence in Chicago's Ida B. Wells 
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housing projects to becoming one of Illinois' most passionate 
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and effective advocates for women and girls in the criminal 
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justice system; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Wenona E. Thompson served as Program Director of 
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the Girl Talk Program at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary 
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Detention Center, where she guided, educated, and inspired 
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young women to lead productive lives; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Wenona E. Thompson was a champion for the cause of 
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fighting social and economic inequality wherever she saw it; 
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she used her poetry and public speaking at workshops and 
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conferences across the country to further her beliefs; and

 
 


 






HR1218
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LRB095 20869 GRL 49721 r




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    WHEREAS, Wenona E. Thompson understood the importance of 
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education; she demonstrated this by earning her associate's 
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degree at Kennedy King College and her bachelor's and master's 
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degrees at Northeastern Illinois University; and

 
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    WHEREAS, As the beloved mother of Tennelle Thompson and 
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Shaquille Thompson, Wenona E. Thompson has left a legacy of 
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faith, dignity, compassion, and love; 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 her family and friends, the passing of Wenona 
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E. Thompson and extend to her loved ones our deepest sympathy; 
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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 Wenona E. Thompson as an expression 
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of our sympathy.