SR0701 LRB095 21394 GRL 50699 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Joseph L. Graham, who passed away on
4 April 29, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham was born on November 28, 1935 in
6 Chicago; his hometown was Hickory Hills; his parents were
7 Joseph and Margaret Graham; he married Theresa Graham (nee
8 Pecord) in August of 1959 in Chicago; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham was educated in the Carmelite
10 Seminary in Niagara Falls, New York; he earned his bachelor's
11 degree in history from DePaul University in 1959; and
 
12     WHEREAS, After serving a year in the classroom at St. Rita
13 Catholic High School, Joseph L. Graham served as a teacher and
14 administrator with Oak Lawn Community High School for almost 30
15 years; by his own estimation, he had more than 7,000 students
16 in his classrooms before retiring in 1991 as chairman of Oak
17 Lawn's social studies department; and
 
18     WHEREAS, After leaving the school, Joseph L. Graham
19 distinguished himself by organizing events for retirees, such
20 as ex-teacher breakfasts every few weeks and bleacher seating
21 for former teachers at school sporting events; and
 

 

 

SR0701 - 2 - LRB095 21394 GRL 50699 r

1     WHEREAS, After a period of intense study, Joseph L. Graham
2 knew enough about pediments, bay windows, terra cotta, and
3 austere skyscrapers to turn Chicago architecture into a hobby;
4 for a time during his retirement, he led downtown architectural
5 walking tours that proved popular with Chicago tourists; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham served as a Eucharistic minister
7 and lector at St. Patrick Church; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham was the beloved husband of Terry,
9 nee Pecord; the loving father of Mike (Christine), Mary Beth
10 (Doug) Gaffney, and the late Eileen; the cherished grandfather
11 of Brittany, Erin, Ryan, Matthew, and Adam; and the dear uncle,
12 cousin, and friend to many loving people; therefore, be it
 
13     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
14 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
15 his family and friends, the passing of Joseph L. Graham; and be
16 it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18 presented to the family of Joseph L. Graham as an expression of
19 our sympathy.