HJ0115 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to those who have made a difference in their community and in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Edwin Tonn was born on August 29, 2007, the beloved son of Nora (Keenan) and Robert Tonn; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn grew up in Hinsdale, where he excelled in academics at school and in sports; he was always first to be on the field and was always ready for a pick-up game or to watch the others play; he was the pitcher on his beloved baseball team, the Hinsdale Red Dogs, and quarterback on his Hinsdale Falcons football team; he loved playing golf and swimming; and

WHEREAS, In December of 2016, Brooks Tonn was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer; and

WHEREAS, Cancer did not stop Brooks Tonn's dedication to those around him or the sports he loved, especially baseball; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn even timed his cancer treatments so he could attend school and play the sports he loved; and

WHEREAS, During the year of his medical treatments, Brooks Tonn, a lifelong baseball fan, played in 54 games for his cherished Red Dogs, the Hinsdale Little League, and the Hinsdale All Stars; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn made sure that all kids were welcome in any game he played; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn was introduced to Jason Garrett, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys; after their first meeting, they became fast friends, and Garrett gave Brooks his personal phone number, so they could keep in touch through text; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn was given the opportunity to fly to Dallas to meet the Dallas Cowboys and watch a private practice; he was presented with the game ball, which made him forget how much discomfort he felt from his treatments; and

WHEREAS, Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs, a survivor of cancer himself, visited Brooks Tonn and sat with him while he was receiving chemotherapy treatments; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn lived by the motto "Have Courage and Be Kind," and his community rallied behind him and that belief; and

WHEREAS, From the day Brooks Tonn was diagnosed to his last moments, Reverend Wayne Watts was present, offering spiritual support for the entire family; and

WHEREAS, During his treatments, Brooks Tonn met many wonderful people who helped him and his family cope with the difficulties he faced on a daily basis; dozens of family members and friends joined together to offer a meal-prep service to his whole family for months, giving them the opportunity to focus on the fight they were facing; and

WHEREAS, Local newspapers published stories about Brooks Tonn while he was in the earlier stages of his treatment; through a friend, his story was shared with actress and director Lisa Varga, who interviewed Brooks and developed a documentary about his fight against cancer; and

WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn passed away peacefully on December 1, 2017 and is survived by his loving parents; he was the dear brother of Hunter, Griffin, and Scarlett; the cherished grandson of Nancy and William Brooks Keenan and Barbara and Donald Tonn; the cherished nephew of Betsy and Brian Moran, Bill and Denise Keenan, Trish and Patrick Kinsella, Dan and Tracey Keenan, Tom and Danielle Keenan, and Donald Jr. and Kari Tonn; the dearest cousin of Kate and Christian Arquilla, Finn Arquilla, Jack, Christopher, and Nora Moran, William IV and Hannah Keenan, Genevieve, Patrick Cass, and Colette Kinsella, Christopher, Lauren, Jane, and Ben Keenan, Patrick, Caroline, and Sean Keenan, Lindsey Kaplan-Herman, and Amanda Tonn; and

WHEREAS, Following Brooks Tonn's passing, more than 2,000 friends, family, dignitaries, and community members attended his memorial service and funeral; and

WHEREAS, The Brooks Strong Foundation was formed in memory of Brooks Tonn; and

WHEREAS, The Brooks Strong Foundation funds cutting-edge pediatric cancer research and provides scholarships to defray the cost of sports and extracurricular activities for families with kids going through cancer treatment; and

WHEREAS, The Hinsdale Little League has honored Brooks Tonn with the creation of the Brooks Tonn Award for the player on each team that demonstrates a commitment to teamwork, effort, and kindness; and

WHEREAS, Like a shooting star, Brooks Tonn's brilliant, shining glow, his smile, and his energy, lit up the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, but are gone too soon; just because he is no longer here, it does not mean he will be forgotten; his presence resonates through all who knew him and through the Brooks Strong Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Since the day of Brooks Tonn's passing, blue and yellow cups have adorned the 47th Street Bridge over Interstate 294 with his rallying cry "Brooks Strong"; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting that we provide a lasting honor to the memory of Brooks Tonn; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the 47th Street Bridge over Interstate 294 as the "Brooks Edwin Tonn Memorial Bridge"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Toll Highway Authority is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name of the "Brooks Edwin Tonn Memorial Bridge"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Brooks Tonn, the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, and the Brooks Strong Foundation.