A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN
"SENATOR HOWARD B. BROOKINS. SR."
WHEREAS, on Thursday, June 6,2013,1 stood proudly before family, friends and members of the community as we took the time to celebrate the birthday of a very distinguished gentleman, Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr., also known as my dad. For there was not a dry eye during this occasion, for everyone felt overjoyed and extremely honored to partake in the celebration of a man that has a smile worth a million dollars and heart of gold. Anyone that knows my dad will say, "He is definitely a man that everyone can appreciate" and
WHEREAS, the scriptures states, "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way," Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr., fits the biblical description perfectly. His lifestyle has always exemplified a man with a determination like David, willing and ready to approach the battlefield of life at any cost. He has the wisdom and understanding of Solomon because he knows how to differentiate between a friend that will support him wholeheartedly and an individual that has been sent solely for the purpose to destroy his name; and
WHEREAS, Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr. overcame what so many people fail to complete, he attended DuSable High School and Wilson Junior College (now Kennedy King) before being drafted into the United States Army. During his time of serving in the Korean War, he had an opportunity to become an officer, but changed bis mind when the fighting ceased. Where some men would have given up after serving in the armed forces, Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr. had higher aspirations and started pursuing .them by attending Chicago State University and Cortez Peters Business College. In 1958, he joined the Chicago Police Department where he remained for twelve years. As you can envision, Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr., is a go-getter, a man with a plan and direction. His blessings did not stop there; he furthered his knowledge and expertise by becoming a mortician. His entrepreneurial mindset and the encouragement of a pastor set him in position to purchase his own funeral home; known as Brookins Funeral Home, and it has been located on the South Side of Chicago for over the last 40 years. While some would have stopped at this point in life and never pursued anyihing else, not my dad, Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr. His genuine kindheartedness for the disadvantaged and undying concern for the community gave him a drive for politics. So while Senator Brookins chose to help certain candidates reach their pinnacle in local and state government, it also inspired birn to run for office. Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr., pursued the seat of Illinois House of Representatives and won, serving from 1982 through 1986 and later ran for the Illinois Senate seat which he also attained. Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr., has not only accomplished what has been mentioned but he has accomplished so much more...
WHEREAS, if my siblings and I ever wanted to learn about the power of speaking positive words over ourselves instead of negative words that dampers one's self-esteem, we would sit in the lap of our father and seek bim daily for some well-rounded advice. If we ever needed an example of man that loves his children unconditionally, we could always look to our father, because he showed it in more ways than one. When marriages were ending in divorce around us, my father remained committed to our mother Mrs. Audrey Brookins for over forty years; and
WHEREAS, Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr., was more than just the priest of our home, he was our confidante, provider, protector, counselor and more importantly the best dad me and my siblings could ever have in our lifetime; now and therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, will assemble together on the 26* Day of June, 2013, A.D., to partake in the celebrating this great leader, my father Senator Howard B. Brookins, Sr., and to extend to mom, Mrs. Audrey Brookins and sisters Andrea and Rhonda an abundance of continual blessing upon their lives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be