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1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3		Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Michael
4		Edward Banks, Sr. of Chicago, who passed away on August 25,
5		2015; and
6		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. was born in Chicago on June 4,
7		1945 to Edward Caldwell and Pauline Pruitt Banks; he graduated
8		2 years early from Harlan High School, where he received
9		accolades and awards in basketball and track and set a Chicago
10		city record in the long jump, a record that remained untouched
11		for decades; he attended Bradley University on an athletic
12		scholarship, where he joined the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Alpha
13		Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; he graduated with a Bachelor of
14		Science in Business and Education; while a student at Bradley
15		University, he led a group of students on a march down Main
16		Street to call attention to discrimination in housing; he
17		married Stephanie Jones Banks; he later married Joyce King
18		Banks; and
19		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. joined the professional staff
20		of Bradley University; during his tenure there, he served in
21		several capacities, including being responsible for the men's
22		residence halls, fraternity affairs, and minority student
23		affairs; he served as Assistant Dean of Men and Assistant to

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1		the Dean of Students; he was founder of the Black Studies and
2		Cultural Arts Center; he founded Music with A Message, Peoria's
3		first minority news and information and entertainment radio
4		broadcast (1968-1993); and
5		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. traveled extensively on the
6		African Continent as a fundraiser for African Independence
7		Groups associated with Nelson Mandela; he served as Executive
8		Director of Peoria's Citizen's Committee for Economic
9		Opportunity, Inc., a position he held for nearly 20 years;
10		under his leadership, the following programs were initiated:
11		Webster Head Start, day care services, kindergarten, before and
12		after school latch-key programming, alcohol rehabilitation
13		services, a Senior Drop In Center, neighborhood outreach
14		centers, information and referral services, radio and
15		television programming, weatherization and housing
16		rehabilitation services, and a food service operation; he
17		initiated Community Economic Development projects for PCCEO,
18		Inc. and formed the Peoria Economic Development Association, a
19		local SBA development Corporation; during his tenure as
20		Executive Director of PCCEO, Inc., he also started a 40 acre
21		farm co-op that once served 100 families; and
22		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. served as President at the
23		National Center for Community Action and as President of the
24		Illinois Community Action Association; he was recognized by his

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1		peers for his strong leadership skills and effective management
2		style; he played an integral role in establishing the first
3		black owned and operated radio station in Peoria, WBGE 92.3FM;
4		he served as general manager of B&G Broadcasting until 2000;
5		and
6		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. relocated to Chicago, his home
7		town, in 2001; he founded and served as President/CEO of MEBA
8		LLC., a consultant firm for non-profit organizations; he served
9		as a consultant to the Community and Economic Development
10		Association of Cook County, Inc.'s planning department until
11		his retirement in 2012; he started an Internet radio broadcast,
12		"Mr. B's Showcase", once again using the theme Music with a
13		Message; and
14		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. married Noel Stewart Banks on
15		April 19, 2013; and
16		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. was preceded in death by his
17		parents; and
18		WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. is survived by his wife, Noel;
19		his son, Michael Banks, Jr.; his daughter, Ebony Banks (Emorej)
20		Henderson and a precious grandson, Elisha A. Henderson; his
21		brother, Phillip Banks; his 3 sisters, Rita Jackson, Patricia
22		Hodges, and Lori Jackson; his uncle, Wilfred (Betty) Banks; and

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1		a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews,
2		loving cousins, and very special friends; therefore, be it
3		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4		NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
5		mourn the passing of Michael Edward Banks, Sr., and extend our
6		sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
7		and loved him; and be it further
8		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9		presented to the family of Michael Banks, Sr. as an expression
10		of our deepest sympathy.