093_SR0307
LRB093 14248 HSS 19788 r
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of
3 Illinois learned with regret of the death of John G. Woods of
4 Arlington Heights on Friday, October 31, 2003; and
5 WHEREAS, Mr. Woods was born on November 1, 1921, in
6 Shreveport, Louisiana; he served valiantly in the U.S. Navy
7 during World War II and was aboard the USS Canberra on
8 October 13, 1944, when it was torpedoed in the South Pacific;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, Mr. Woods graduated from Centenary College in
11 Shreveport, Louisiana, and studied at Georgetown University
12 School of Law in Washington, D.C.; he married Mary L. Gariti
13 on August 9, 1958; he was employed by Universal Oil Products
14 of Des Plaines as a general counsel for 30 years, retiring in
15 1991; and
16 WHEREAS, Mr. Woods served as the village president of
17 Arlington Heights from 1961 to 1969 and again during 1972 and
18 1973; during his tenure, the population of Arlington Heights
19 grew from fewer than 30,000 people to 65,000; he fought for
20 flood control and improved village planning to prepare for
21 fast growth; and
22 WHEREAS, Mr. Woods was on the board of directors for
23 Paddock Publications; he was a delegate to the State's 1969
24 constitutional convention, where he developed and fought for
25 the home rule provision, which gives broad powers to local
26 municipalities; and
27 WHEREAS, Mr. Woods was well-known for his volunteer
28 activities including serving as chairman of the long-range
29 planning committee for Northwest Community Hospital, as
30 founder and first chairman of the Harper College Educational
31 Fund, as director of the Lattof YMCA, as board trustee for
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1 the Clearbrook Center for the Handicapped, as trustee of the
2 First United Methodist Church, and as one of the founding
3 members of the United Way of Arlington Heights; he led the
4 board of the United Way of Arlington Heights during his
5 retirement until 1996; and
6 WHEREAS, The passing of Mr. Woods has been deeply felt by
7 many, especially his wife, Mary L. (nee Gariti); his
8 children, Susan Woods, Karen Kelly, Marie (Greg)
9 Woods-Petitti, and Katherine Woods; his grandchildren,
10 Denielle and Michael Kelly, Geoffrey, Amanda, and Stephanie
11 Lindsell, and Peter, Rachel, and Nicholas Petitti; and his
12 brother, Alvro (Leo) Dorman; he was preceded in death by his
13 son, Jonathan; therefore, be it
14 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
15 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing
16 of John G. Woods, a man who made outstanding contributions to
17 society and civic life and served his community with loyal
18 dedication; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to the family of Mr. Woods as an expression of our
21 sincerest condolences.