SR0020 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0020 LRB095 06507 KXB 26608 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George Alan Karnes Wallis Hickrod, who died on December 27, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Alan Hickrod was born, May 16, 1930, in Fort Branch, the son of Herschell Hickrod and Bernice Karnes; he earned his Bachelor's degree at Wabash College, class of 1952; his education was interrupted by a term of duty in the United States Marine Corps; after receiving his honorable discharge, he resumed his studies, earning his Master's and Doctoral degrees from Harvard University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1966; and

WHEREAS, After his graduation from Harvard, he taught at Erie College where he met and married Dr. Lucy Jen Huang; she passed away in 1987; and

WHEREAS, In 1967, Professor Hickrod began his career at Illinois State University, becoming the first director of the Center for the Study of Educational Finance; at the request of the Illinois General Assembly, the Center monitored the progress of a school funding formula co-authored by Dr. Hickrod and prepared biannual reports for every elected official of the Illinois General Assembly; during his long tenure at the University teaching graduate-level courses in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, he earned a reputation as a popular teacher and mentor, as well as an outstanding researcher; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, Illinois State University conferred upon him the honor of Distinguished University Professor; Dr. Hickrod was a recognized national authority on school funding; he was a founding member of the American Education Finance Association and served a term as president and many years on the board of directors; he was invited to testify before a committee of congress; and

WHEREAS, He served as a consultant and was a popular speaker with groups interested in school finance; he received many awards, including the Chicago Urban League's annual award for outstanding service in human relations; he was an avid reader of politics and history, his letters to the editor of the Pantagraph often reflected his most recent reading; the letters to the editor as well as other essays were recently published in a book entitled, "An Embattled and Unapologetic Liberal"; and

WHEREAS, Alan Hickrod was a lifelong member of the Scottish Rite Masonic Order, achieving the highest grades and rankings in his 50-year affiliation with the organization; he was proud of his Scottish ancestry, and was an organizer and one of the first Chiefs of the Scottish-American Society of Central Illinois; Alan Hickrod was one of only a few persons in the Midwest who speak Scot Gaelic; and

WHEREAS, He was a gourmet chef and wine connoisseur; and

WHEREAS, Alan Hickrod is survived by his wife, Dr. Marcia Escott, and her children Beth and Don Newcomer; Eric Escott and Lulu Vallee, and their daughter, Hazel Jane Escott; he is also survived by the children, grandchildren, and family members of Dr. Lucy Jen Huang Lui: Gretchen Liu; Rachel Liu, Wayne, and Sue Hickrod Liu, and their daughter Rachel Liu; Ko Hshing and Chia Ning Huang, and their children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family, friends, and former students, the passing of Alan Hickrod; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Alan Hickrod as a symbol of our sympathy.