title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE, LEGACY, AND SERVICE OF DR. HENRY W. WIGGINS, JR.
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry W. Wiggins, Jr. was born on March 18, 1933, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, to Henry Wiggins, Sr. and Janie Wiggins, who instilled in him enduring values of discipline, integrity, intellectual excellence, and service to humanity; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins distinguished himself early as a scholar and athlete, graduating with honors from Clearfield High School in 1951 and lettering in track, football, and basketball, exemplifying balance between academic rigor and personal discipline; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College in 1955, later graduating from Howard University College of Medicine in 1959, he further completed his postgraduate training in internal medicine and radiology at the University of Iowa during a period of profound racial barriers in medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins honorably served the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Commander and Chief Radiologist at the Naval Hospital Bremerton in Washington State, demonstrating exceptional leadership, patriotism, and professional excellence; and
WHEREAS, following his military service, Dr. Wiggins devoted his career to the people of Chicago and Cook County, serving as a radiologist at Michael Reese Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Provident Hospital, Roseland Community Hospital, and St. Bernard Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins is a former provider at Provident Hospital reflecting a legacy of public service that spans both medicine and civic leadership; and
WHEREAS, at St. Bernard Hospital, Dr. Wiggins served with distinction as Chair of the Department of Radiology and as a member of the Board of Trustees, contributing to institutional leadership and the advancement of equitable healthcare; and
WHEREAS, , Dr. Wiggins further shaped future generations as a faculty member at the University of Chicago Medical School and as a courageous civil rights advocate who marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 in defense of voting rights and human dignity; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins was a man of deep principle and humanity, known for his moral courage, intellectual curiosity, love of family, and quiet acts of kindness profoundly impacting colleagues, patients, and community members alike; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry W. Wiggins, Jr. passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, leaving behind a legacy defined by service, justice, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the common good; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Wiggins, Sr. and Janie Wiggins, and his siblings Frances Sellers, Steward Wiggins, Nancy Brown, and Margaret Wiggins; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his devoted wife, Carolyn; his children Kay Lucas, Lee Anne Young (Carl), Henry Wiggins (Jennifer), and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois Juliana Stratton Echols (Bryan); his siblings Anna Wiggins, Sarah Mitchell, Mary Jane Wiggins, and Elizabeth “Libbi” Graves; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins was the proud and joyful “PaPa” to ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and leaves behind a vast extended family of nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and countless individuals, many known only to him, whose lives were enriched by his generosity, compassion, and quiet acts of kindness; and
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, BILL LOWRY, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF THE 3rd DISTRICT, AND TONI PRECKWINKLE, PRESIDENT OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, does hereby honor, commend, and celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Dr. Henry W. Wiggins, Jr., whose contributions as a physician, veteran, educator, and civil rights advocate have left an indelible mark on Cook County and beyond; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Wiggins family, affirming that Dr. Wiggins’ life stands as a powerful example of leadership, service, and moral courage; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Henry W. Wiggins, Jr. as a lasting expression of the gratitude, respect, and admiration of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd. District. Dated this ___ day of ______.
Sincerely,
end