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91_SR0249
LRB9107528KBkb
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of James L. Wright of Chicago,
4 Illinois, who recently passed away; and
5 WHEREAS, James L. Wright was went to work in a farming
6 equipment factory in Kentucky after his return from the Far
7 East, where he had served as a part of the United States Army
8 during World War II; Mr. Wright persuaded his bosses in the
9 factory to allow him to operate a forklift, which led to his
10 desire to help other African-Americans advance in the
11 workplace; and
12 WHEREAS, James L. Wright went on to become a leader in
13 the new union movement forming in the factory; he eventually
14 left Kentucky and began organizing labor movements full-time;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, In 1980 he became the first African-American
17 elected to head region 4 of the United Auto Workers union,
18 which includes Illinois and parts of three other states; he
19 was re-elected to his position in 1984 but stepped down due
20 to illness; and
21 WHEREAS, James L. Wright was also president of the UAW's
22 political arm in Illinois and headed the regional civil
23 rights department while serving as the head of region 4; he
24 was a board member of numerous civil rights organizations and
25 State commissions, including the Urban League, Operation
26 PUSH, the Illinois International Port District, the Secretary
27 of State's Merit Commission, and the Illinois Board of
28 Regents; and
29 WHEREAS, James L. Wright is survived by his wife, Gladys;
30 his son, Lewis; his five grandchildren, and his seven
31 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
-2- LRB9107528KBkb
1 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIRST GENERAL
2 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
3 his family and friends, the death of James L. Wright; may all
4 that knew this caring and dedicated man find comfort at this
5 time of loss; and be it further
6 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7 presented to the family of James L. Wright.