HR0627

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former 
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State Representative John "Jay" C. Ackerman of Morton, who 
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passed away on July 23, 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman served in the Illinois House of 
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Representatives from 1979 to 1983 and from 1987 to 1999; during 
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his time in the Capitol he worked with the Legislative 
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Sportsmen's Caucus and helped to establish a State fish and 
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wildlife area in Cass County; he helped bring reform to the 
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Chicago school system, aided in welfare reform, supported the 
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State's truth-in-sentencing law, voted for measures to help 
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senior citizens, promoted agriculture and the preservation of 
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the family farm; and chaired the House Public Utilities 
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Committee; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was one of the few active farmers to 
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serve in the General Assembly during his tenure; he was a 
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strong supporter of the Second Amendment; he was known as 
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someone who cared more about his constituents and representing 
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the people of his district than being a politician; he was 
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well-liked by all his colleagues and enjoyed socializing; he 
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enjoyed singing "Crazy" and other songs by his favorite artist, 
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Patsy Cline; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was an avid hunter and fisherman; he, 
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his son, and his sons-in-law were the Winning Boat and Anglers 
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at the July 19, 2007 Department of Natural Resources sponsored 
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Sam Romano Lake Michigan Fishing Tournament in Winthrop Harbor;  
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was an accomplished softball player, 
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known for playing in fast-pitch leagues across central Illinois 
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for 40 years; he began by pitching against the barn door during 
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his 4-H league days; he held the record for striking out 18 of 
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21 batters in 7 innings; he matched Eddie Feigner, the King and 
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his Court, in a 4-to-4 tie game, with local media reporting 
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that his pitches were jumping more than the King's; and

 

 
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    WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman started in politics due to his 
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dissatisfaction with the limited opportunities young people 
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had to play softball in his hometown; he ran for a seat on the 
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Morton Park District Board and served from 1967 to 1975; he was 
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influential in building the first ball diamonds at Lions Field 
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in Morton; he later served on the Tazewell County board from 
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1972 to 1978; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was a United States Army veteran, 
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serving two years as a medical technician; he was born on and 
 


 






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farmed the Ackerman Centennial Farm in Morton; he attended 
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Crandall School, a one-room school house located on the farm; 
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he graduated from Morton High School where he lettered in 
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football and track; and he attended agriculture classes at the 
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University of Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was a wonderful husband, father, 
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grandfather, and brother; his passing will be deeply felt by 
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all those who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Joann; 
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his son, Doug (Christine); his daughters, Jody (Mark) 
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Bugaieski, Amy (John) Lacy, and Wendy (Mike) Fox; his sister, 
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Sally Walker; his grandchildren, Rick and Jed Lacy, Kiley and 
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Brock Bugaieski, and Morgan and Hallie Fox; his six nephews; 
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and his many friends, colleagues, former constituents and 
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neighbors; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of former 
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State Representative John C. "Jay" Ackerman; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of former State Representative John C. 
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"Jay" Ackerman as a symbol of our sympathy.