Bill Text: IL HR0112 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Eugene Barnes.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-03-23 - Resolution Adopted by Voice Vote [HR0112 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0112-Introduced.html

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HR0112 LRB103 31289 ECR 58482 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Eugene
Morice Barnes, who passed away on November 13, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Eugene Barnes, the eighth of 11 children born to
John and Nettie L. Barnes, was born in Chicago on July 24,
1931; and
WHEREAS, Eugene Barnes was a product of Chicago Public
Schools and graduated from Wendell Phillips High School; and
WHEREAS, Following high school, Eugene Barnes joined the
U.S. Air Force as a private, serving in France and Germany
during the Korean Conflict; during his service, he achieved
the rank of sergeant and earned a Certificate of Accounting
from the U.S. Air Force Specialist School; and
WHEREAS, After returning home with an honorable discharge,
Eugene Barnes started his professional career working for the
Social Security Administration; this was followed by a stint
with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and then a 14-year
tenure with the Chicago Transit Authority; and
WHEREAS, Eugene Barnes was elected to the Illinois House

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of Representatives and served the 29th District from 1970 to
1979; and
WHEREAS, Joining a group of lawmakers who helped found the
Illinois Legislative Black Caucus a few years prior to his
arrival in Springfield, Eugene Barnes championed legislation
that helped to create the Illinois State Lottery, made
Illinois the first state to provide funding for Sickle Cell
Anemia, and secured appropriations to finance the first
buildings on the Chicago State University campus; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Eugene Barnes resigned his seat in the
Illinois House when he was named the first Black chairman of
the Chicago Transit Authority; he was later elected chairman
of the American Public Transportation Association; and
WHEREAS, During his four terms as a state legislator,
Eugene Barnes' work on behalf of Illinois families earned him
much recognition, including the Outstanding Legislator Award
from the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and
Universities; and
WHEREAS, While in office and following his retirement from
the Illinois General Assembly, Eugene Barnes remained active
in the community as a proud member a number of organizations,
including the Maple Park Homeowners Association, the NAACP,

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and the A. Phillip Randolph Association and as a life member of
ATU Local 241 and Operation Breadbasket, now Operation PUSH;
and
WHEREAS, Eugene Barnes was preceded in death by his wife
of 42 years, Lei-Lani Roach and his grandchild, Eric Antwon;
and
WHEREAS, Eugene M. Barnes is survived by his three
children, Vikki L. Barnes-McKenzie, EuGina M. Barnes, and
Craig D. Barnes, and his six grandchildren, Michael Dewayne
Jr., Tiffany Danielle, Craig Dareen II, Timothy Jacob, Elijah
Malachi, and LeiLani MyL; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Eugene Morice Barnes and extend our
sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
and loved him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Eugene Barnes as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.