Bill Text: IL HR0554 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of William Eric "Doc" Perkins.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-10-25 - Resolution Adopted [HR0554 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0554-Introduced.html

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HR0554 LRB097 13981 GRL 58595 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William
Eric "Doc" Perkins; and
WHEREAS, William Perkins was born on September 3, 1948, in
Chicago; his parents were Betty L. Mason and Darrell J.
Perkins; he was baptized at St. Finbar Catholic Church on the
west side of Chicago and attended St. Dorothy's and Mendel
Catholic High School; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, William Perkins began attending
Northwestern University in Evanston, where he graduated with
honors with a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1970; while in
college, he pledged with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was a
"founding officer" of the "For Members Only" (FMO)
organization, which spearheaded the Northwestern University
"Takeover" in 1968; he subsequently earned his master's degree
from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D in history from
the City University of New York; and
WHEREAS, William Perkins educated hundreds of students at a
variety of institutions; he served as a faculty fellow at the
W.E.B. DuBois House at the University of Pennsylvania; he was
an adjunct professor of communications at Hunter College at

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City University of New York; he was an assistant professor with
the African American Studies department at Temple University;
he also served with Educational Testing Service for 13 years;
and
WHEREAS, William Perkins was well known throughout the
academic community in the United States and beyond; he wrote
and lectured on various topics, including slavery, Caribbean
history, urban studies, and American popular culture; his
classes inspired hundreds of students to become rigorous
critical thinkers, ardent political activists, and scholars;
and
WHEREAS, William Perkins was the author of "Droppin'
Science: Critical Essays on Rap Music and Hip Hop Culture",
which was published by Temple University Press in 1996; the
book is still considered a critical text in the field of hip
hop scholarship; and
WHEREAS, William Perkins enjoyed watching sports and was
particularly thrilled and excited when the New Orleans Saints
recently won the Super Bowl; he also enjoyed cooking,
photography, and traveling to various countries of the African
Diaspora, including Cuba, Brazil, Grenada, Aruba, and Jamaica;
he particularly enjoyed learning about and experiencing Creole
culture; and

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WHEREAS, William Perkins is survived by his daughter, Sonya
Perkins; his son, Logan Bailey Perkins; his grandsons, Miles,
Charlie, and Julian Perkins; his sister, Darlene Perkins
Tribue; his brothers, Antonio Burketh (Lydia) and Lance
Richards; his nephews, Edward "Kippy" Tribue (Helen) and Shawn
Richards (Miriam); his aunt, Joan Mason; his brothers-in-law,
Edward and Randall Tribue; and his many nieces, nephews,
cousins, friends, and colleagues; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
William Eric "Doc" Perkins; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of William Perkins as an expression of
our sympathy.