IL HR0871

Extends condolences to the family of Merlin Kennedy upon his passing and celebrates his achievements in the civil rights movement in McLean County.

Honors Merlin Kennedy (born November 7, 1926) for serving in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1949, leading the local NAACP chapter, spearheading the area's first fair housing ordinance in 1967, and participating in the 1966 Christmas Parade as Santa Claus despite threats of arrest.

Honors Henry Gay Sr. (born August 5, 1924) for joining the local NAACP chapter in 1951, serving as branch secretary beginning in 1968, and working for equal access to housing, education, and services throughout his life.

Recognizes that both men were named McLean County History Makers (Kennedy in 2015, Gay Sr. in 2019) and received numerous awards for their civil rights contributions, including the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

Directs that suitable copies of the resolution be presented to the families of both men as expressions of esteem and respect for their pivotal roles in the Bloomington-Normal civil rights movement.