Bill Text: PA HR825 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring the life and expressing condolences upon the passing of Sherman Alexander Hemsley.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 25-12)

Status: (Passed) 2012-10-17 - Adopted (191-0) [HR825 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR825-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 3976
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 825 Session of2012
INTRODUCED BY WATERS, CALTAGIRONE, MULLERY, NEILSON, SONNEY, GEORGE, BISHOP, BRADFORD, BROWNLEE, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, DALEY, ELLIS, FLECK, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY, HUTCHINSON, JAMES, KIRKLAND, BAKER, KORTZ, KULA, MANN, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, PAYTON, SANTONI, STABACK, THOMAS, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD AND HESS, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and expressing condolences upon the passing of
Sherman Alexander Hemsley.
WHEREAS, Sherman Alexander Hemsley was born February 1, 1938,
in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hemsley attended Barrat Middle School, Central
High School for 9th grade and Edward W. Bok Technical High
School for 10th grade until he decided to join the United States
Air Force; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hemsley served in the United States Air Force
for four years, and following his discharge, he returned to his
hometown of Philadelphia where he worked as a postal clerk
during the day while attending Philadelphia's Academy of
Dramatic Arts in the evening; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, Mr. Hemsley moved to New York City to
pursue his acting career; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Hemsley joined the Negro Ensemble Company where
he appeared in off-Broadway productions, and later he joined
Vinnette Carroll's Urban Arts Company where he appeared in the
following productions: But Never Jam Today, The Lottery, Old
Judge Mose is Dead, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, Step Lively Boys,
Croesus and The Witch; and
WHEREAS, In 1970, Mr. Hemsley was cast as the character
Gitlow in the Broadway musical Purlie, and as a result of his
stellar performance as Gitlow, Mr. Hemsley was introduced to
television audiences as Archie Bunker's neighbor, George
Jefferson, in All in the Family in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hemsley's role as George Jefferson became so
popular among television audiences that it led to a spinoff
series entitled The Jeffersons, which debuted in January of
1975; and
WHEREAS, The Jeffersons became quite successful, earning the
fourth spot in the 1975 Nielson ratings, and remained a
household favorite for 11 seasons through 1985; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hemsley continued his television career,
starring as Deacon Ernest Frye in the series Amen beginning in
1986, which ran for five seasons until 1991; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hemsley also participated in television shows as
a voice actor and served as a voice actor in the live-action
puppet series Dinosaurs in which he played Bradley P. Richfield;
and
WHEREAS, Dinosaurs ran for five seasons, ending in 1994; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his acting career, Mr. Hemsley had a
passion for music, was an accomplished jazz keyboardist and
released a single entitled Ain't That a Kick in the Head; and
WHEREAS, Sherman Hemsley passed away at the age of 74 on July
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24, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hemsley will be remembered for his humor, quick
wit and creative comedic talent; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life of
Sherman Hemsley, express its sadness upon his passing and offer
its condolences to his family and friends; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the family of Sherman A. Hemsley.
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