Bill
SR 277
Ceremonial resolution recognizing and honoring Essie Arnold’s community service and Oswaldo Guillén’s baseball career, with symbolic copies to recipients.
Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: March 14, 2025
Sponsors (as listed): Donzella James (primary); Omar Aquino (primary)
Classification: Ceremonial resolution (congratulatory / memorial)
Key procedural actions: Received by Secretary of the Senate (3/14/2025); Read & adopted (3/19/2025); Reported enrolled (3/19/2025). Additional procedural entries dated May 2025 indicate final adoption and assignment steps.
Note on content: The enrolled/version text for SR 277 contains two distinct ceremonial resolutions combined in the document: (A) a memorial honoring Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold and (B) a congratulatory resolution recognizing Oswaldo “Ozzie” Guillén. Both are ceremonial and non‑binding.
Purpose and intent
- To honor the life, community service, and memory of Essie Frankie Mae Stegall Arnold, who died January 26, 2025.
Key provisions / content
- Biographical details: born April 10, 1930, in Newnan, Georgia; daughter of Essie Mae and Milton Stegall.
- Church and faith: baptized at Dent Chapel A.M.E., longtime member of Saint John A.M.E., served as stewardess, Steward Board officer, and missionary society member.
- Public service: nearly 50 years of service to the City of Fairburn, Georgia; first African American Fairburn city councilwoman, serving 12 years.
- Awards and recognitions: Council Member Outstanding Service Award, Legacy Trailblazer Award, invitations to multiple presidential inaugurals, Commemorative Presidential Print Award, National Resource Defense Council Award.
- Personal/family details: married to Lawrence; seven children (Lawrence, Alford Sr., Jane, Shanterria, Cheryl, Bobby, Kimberly); 22 grandchildren; four great‑grandchildren. Noted for hospitality (Sunday dinners) and multiple Yard of the Year awards.
- Resolution actions: Senate expresses deepest regret at her passing and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide an appropriate copy of the resolution to her family.
Impact / who is affected
- Primarily symbolic recognition for Ms. Arnold’s family, the City of Fairburn, her church community, and constituents who benefited from her civic work. No legal or fiscal effect.
Purpose and intent
- To congratulate Ozzie Guillén on his baseball career, managerial achievements, philanthropy, and broadcasting work.
Key provisions / content
- Biographical details: born January 20, 1964, in Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela.
- Playing career: 16 seasons as an MLB shortstop (1985–2000), primarily with the Chicago White Sox; 1985 American League Rookie of the Year; Gold Glove winner; three‑time All‑Star; noted defensive player.
- Managerial career: Managed the Chicago White Sox (2004–2011); led the team to the 2005 World Series championship — noted as the first Latino‑born manager to win a World Series.
- Philanthropy and media: Founder of OG13.org (youth and community programs); worked as an MLB analyst and broadcaster.
- Resolution actions: The Illinois Senate congratulates Mr. Guillén and requests that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to him as a symbol of respect and esteem. The text also references the 20th anniversary of the 2005 World Series (October 2025).
Impact / who is affected
- Purely ceremonial recognition for Mr. Guillén, his foundation, fans, and the broader baseball and community organizations he supports. No statutory, regulatory, or budgetary effects.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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