MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2014
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Jesse Donald Madison
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WHEREAS, Jesse Donald Madison was born on January 1, 1939 in Memphis, Tennessee to Reverend Walter Madison, Sr. and Mildred Madison, becoming the fifth of their six children; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Manassas High School in 1956, Jesse moved to Chicago to join two of his brothers, find work and continue his education; and
WHEREAS, Jesse attended Wilson Junior College and graduated from Roosevelt University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Accounting; and
WHEREAS, as the son of a pastor, faith was a central part of Jesse's life, and he was very active in his church; he served Mt. Sinai M.B. Church for nearly 20 years before moving to the United Baptist Church, where he was an integral part of the church's growth in the community; and
WHEREAS, Jesse met Frances Thornton when he joined Mt. Sinai M.B. church, and the two married in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Daughters Shanlynn and Tracey were born into this close-knit family, and taking care of his wife and daughters became the motivation for all Jesse's personal goals; and
WHEREAS, Jesse showed his daughters the value of hard work when he worked full-time while attending Roosevelt University at night, and though it was sometimes difficult, the whole family was very proud of his accomplishment; and
WHEREAS, Jesse's professional career spanned over 50 years and included positions with corporate, non-profit and government entities; in each arena, Jesse focused on how his work served a community of people; and
WHEREAS, highlights of Jesse's career included directing the operations of the Chicago Economic Development Corporation, which promoted minority business development on the West Side; being elected to two terms in the Illinois General Assembly; working for the administration of the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington as Commissioner of Consumer Services; becoming the first African American President and CEO of the Chicago Park District, where he successfully implemented a major reorganization of the Park District's management operations to ensure equitable distribution of resources to all Chicago neighborhood parks; heading the Abraham Lincoln Center, the 100-year-old human services association; and being appointed to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board; and
WHEREAS, Jesse enjoyed volunteering his time to worthy causes, and won several awards for his dedication to public service, including the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Abraham Lincoln Center and the Independent Voters of Illinois' Best Legislator Award; and
WHEREAS, Jesse transitioned to eternity on August 8, 2014, surrounded by his loving family; and
WHEREAS, Jesse is survived by his wife, Frances; daughters Shanlynn Broaders (Woodrow) and Tracey Sanders (Darren); granddaughters Brittany and Bria Broaders; grandson Jalen Sanders; brother Eugene Madison (Ethel); sisters Elsie Newton and Edna Wiggins (Barry); sisters-in-law Annie Mae Gilbert and Michelle Morris (John); brother-in-law Alex Thornton (Pam Dixon); special cousin, Rev. Henry Henard (Edna); a host of nieces and nephews; his United Church family; and many friends; and
WHEREAS, Jesse was, in his heart, a dedicated servant of God and every community he touched, and will long be remembered for his humility, his kindness, his sense of fairness and the love he expressed through service; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, extend our sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Jesse Donald Madison; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of Jesse Donald Madison.
Dated: September 18, 2014
Approved: KATHLEEN THERESE MEANY, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice-President; MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ; FRANK AVILA; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; PATRICK D. THOMPSON, Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel