HR0217 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0217 LRB101 11627 ALS 57764 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Grant St. Julian Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on March 7, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Grant St. Julian Jr. was born in Beaumont, Texas to Grant Sr. and Leah (Herbert) St. Julian on February 13, 1931; he began playing the trumpet at age ten, participated in junior high and high school bands, and received a full music scholarship for four years from Samuel Huston College in Austin, Texas; his passion for jazz began in college; in December of 1949, he was initiated into the Gamma Lambda Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; after earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology, he served with distinction in the United States Army in Korea; he then earned a master's degree in microbiology from the University of Texas at Austin; and

WHEREAS, Grant St. Julian Jr. began his scientific career at the United States Department of Agriculture, Northern Regional Research Center in Peoria in 1959 and retired after 32 years of service; his major contributions were in the area of biological control of insect pests; he published 60 original scientific papers, and his work has been quoted in several books and review articles; and

WHEREAS, Grant St. Julian Jr. belonged to a number of national and international professional societies and received many honors and awards; he served on many local advisory boards, including the Illinois Arthritis Foundation, Heart of Illinois United Way, the Peoria Housing Authority, the Tri-County Urban League, the Salvation Army, and the Contemporary Art Center; he was also a longtime board member of The Heritage Ensemble; he was the chair of the Peoria Human Relations Commission from 1960 until 1964 and served as one of Peoria's Fire and Police Commissioners from 1964 until 1970; he was also a co-creator of the St. Julian Family Scholarship; as a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., he, along with 11 other brothers, chartered the Peoria Alumni Chapter on November 17, 1973; and

WHEREAS, During retirement, Grant St. Julian Jr. devoted himself to playing his trumpet and also took up the flugelhorn; he played with various local Midwest groups, most notably the Illinois Central College Jazz Band; his relationship with the college led him to create the Grant St. Julian Keep Jazz Alive Scholarship for promising musicians; he was also a culinary artist who prepared all family meals and regularly showcased his talents at large holiday gatherings; he was known for his beautiful garden and lush lawn; however, his greatest joy in life was his wife, Jeanne, and their three children; and

WHEREAS, Grant St. Julian Jr. was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Winona Elizabeth St. Julian Frank; and

WHEREAS, Grant St. Julian Jr. is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his children, Grant III, Andrea Renee, and Tanya Suzanne; his daughter-in-law, Judy St. Julian; his son-in-law, Michael Alexander; his grandchildren, Andrew (Paige) St. Julian and Stacie (Peter) Paciorek; and his five great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Grant St. Julian Jr. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Grant St. Julian Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.