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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate were deeply
3 saddened to learn of the death of former State Senator Aldo A.
4 DeAngelis on February 13, 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Aldo A. DeAngelis was born March 25, 1931, in Ford
6 Heights, and was raised in Chicago Heights by his Italian
7 immigrant parents, making Senator DeAngelis a first generation
8 American; and
 
9     WHEREAS, He graduated from Bloom Township High School in
10 Chicago Heights and from Knox College in Galesburg and
11 continued his studies at Governors State University and the
12 University of Chicago; and
 
13     WHEREAS, He began serving the people as a soldier in the
14 United States Army stationed in Germany; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis worked in the Chicago steel
16 mills and worked his way up to President of the Vulcan Tube and
17 Metals company in Chicago Heights; and
 
18     WHEREAS, in 1978 Senator DeAngelis ran for the State Senate
19 to help ease economic burdens placed on small business owners,
20 especially soaring workers' compensation insurance rates; and
 
21     WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis served in the Illinois Senate
22 from 1979 to 1997 and was the first Republican freshman to be
23 appointed to the position of Assistant Senate Minority Leader,
24 and was recognized as Best Freshman Senator in the 81st General
25 Assembly; and
 
26     WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis later rose to the position of
27 Assistant Senate Majority Leader; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, He was a staunch advocate for his south suburban
2 district which continued long after leaving the Senate. He
3 always put the interests of his constituents before those of
4 his own and Senator DeAngelis was renowned for his ability to
5 bring State funds to his district, including crucial funding
6 for Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts,
7 and was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Columbus
8 Quincentenary Committee; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis was an outstanding debater in
10 the Senate and he was respected by staff and legislators alike
11 for his honesty, humor, wit and kindness; and
 
12     WHEREAS, He was the father of the Third Airport in Peotone
13 as well as a strong advocate for changing the way Illinois
14 funds its public schools; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis was a lifelong resident of the
16 south suburbs who never lost touch with his roots; he was proud
17 of his Italian heritage and was a leader in the
18 Italian-American community; and
 
19     WHEREAS, He lived life to the fullest and his door was
20 always open to members, staff and friends to enjoy a
21 home-cooked Italian meal in Springfield; and
 
22     WHEREAS, The passing of Aldo A. DeAngelis will be deeply
23 felt by many especially his wife Meredith his sons Anthony,
24 Christopher, and Douglas, his daughter Lisa, and his
25 grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
26     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
27 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the loss of
28 Senator Aldo DeAngelis and his service to the State of
29 Illinois, while at the same time celebrating his legacy of warm
30 and enthusiastic service to our State; and be it further
 

 

 

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1     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2 presented to the wife, children and grandchildren of our
3 friend, Aldo A. DeAngelis, with our sincere sympathies and our
4 abiding respect, admiration, and love for their husband,
5 father, and grandfather.