SR0571 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0571 LRB098 13762 GRL 48290 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Marvin Wright, who passed away on August 3, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright was born on May 20, 1917 in Fulton, Alabama; his parents were Marvin Wright, Sr. and Almeda (nee Falconer) Wright; he married Katie (nee Harper) Wright on March 21, 1952; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright earned his Bachelor's Degree from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana and his Master's Degree plus 30 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright proudly served in the United States Army as a staff sergeant in the European Theater of Operations during the World War II battles and campaigns at Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe, which began on "D-Day" on June 6, 1944; his service gained him many decorations and citations, including the Silver Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright was a premier educator and administrator, having served with distinction as an elementary school teacher and principal in East St. Louis School District 189 until his retirement from the district on June 30, 1979; he later served as manager of the Illinois Attorney General's East St. Louis Office; during the 1990 Census, he served as an official at the Belleville, Illinois Census Office; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright was a professional musician with such notables as Clark Terry and others; he was a jazz devotee who was also studious and scholarly; he loved to read and subscribed to many scholarly magazines and men's fashion magazines; he was also known and admired for his dapper manner of attire and impeccable grooming; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3480, where he served as commander of the post and as quartermaster of the post for several terms; he was also a member of the American Legion and served as inaugural chairman of the State Community Board, president of the Senior Citizens Organization, president of the School District 189 Principals' Organization, and Boy Scout leader; he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Blanche (nee Wright) Dotson; his nephew, Thomas Dotson; and many of his cousins; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Wright is survived by his wife, Dr. Katie Harper Wright; his step-daughter, Virginia Jordan; his granddaughter, Diana Kaye Jordan; and his many cousins, friends, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Marvin Wright; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Marvin Wright as an expression of our sympathy.