Bill
SR 331
Ceremonial memorial honoring Cliff Rutledge and Debra D. Lewis, offering Senate condolences; non-binding resolution with no fiscal impact.
Status: Resolution — Adopted
Introduced: March 24, 2025
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Ed Harbison; Sen. Randy Robertson
Note up front: the official text associated with SR 331 appears to combine material from two distinct memorial resolutions. One section honors Cliff Rutledge (a Georgia broadcaster/educator); a separate embedded text (labeled SR0331 / LRB104…) memorializes Debra D. Lewis (an Illinois veteran and community leader). Below are clear, separate summaries of each memorial, followed by procedural and impact notes and a brief note about the record inconsistency.
Purpose: Honor the life and public service of Cliff Rutledge and express the Senate’s condolences at his passing.
Key provisions / content:
- Notes Rutledge’s death on February 18, 2024, at age 92.
- Describes a seven‑decade broadcasting career beginning in the 1950s (Sunday Gospel show on WCLS), joining WOKS in 1964, and serving as a prominent play‑by‑play announcer for high school and college sporting events in the Columbus, GA area.
- Lists notable calls: Carver High School’s 1971 state basketball championship; Kendrick (1991), Shaw (2000), and Carver (2007) state football championships; regular play‑by‑play for the Fountain City Classic and the Tuskegee–Morehouse Classic.
- Describes a 40‑year career in Phenix City Schools (principal of Susie E. Allen Elementary School; director of Head Start and adult education programs).
- Notes honors: “Community Legend” (Samarc Foundation, 2012) and induction into the Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame (2014).
- Concluding clauses: Senate members join to honor his memory and express deep regret at his passing; directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide an appropriate copy of the resolution to Rutledge’s family.
Who is affected: Primarily ceremonial — Rutledge’s family, the local Columbus/Phenix City communities, former colleagues, and institutions recognizing his legacy.
Purpose: Express condolences and honor Debra D. Lewis for her military service and community leadership.
Key provisions / content:
- Notes Lewis’ service in the U.S. Navy, including roles as a U.S. Training Commander and events coordinator for the Navy Recruitment Training Command.
- Describes healthcare and education credentials: licensed practical nurse; Certified CPR and Mental Health First Aid Instructor; Narcan Educator.
- Community roles: community education point of contact and manager for Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) programs; board chair of the North Chicago Fire and Police Commission; secretary for Lake County NAACP; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
- Other work: founding member of the Dove Mentorship program; project coordinator for recovery support services (Lake County Recovery Oriented System of Care/ROSC); over 20 years of combined service.
- Education: master’s degree in human resource development (and other management credentials).
- Family: mentions son Aaron, daughter‑in‑law Elizabeth, and grandchildren.
- Concluding clauses: Illinois Senate expresses sympathy and directs presentation of an appropriate copy to her family.
Who is affected: Ceremonial recognition for Lewis’ family, veterans’ and health/recovery communities in Lake County / Northern Illinois.
The publicly provided version of SR 331 mixes two different memorial texts (one honoring Cliff Rutledge — a Georgia figure — and one honoring Debra D. Lewis — an Illinois figure). For authoritative text and to confirm which memorial SR 331 officially adopts in this jurisdiction, consult the Senate Journal or the Secretary of the Senate’s enrolled resolution document.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
