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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Edward F. Dillard Jr. of Hinsdale, the
4 father of State Senator Kirk Dillard; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Edward F. Dillard Jr. was born and raised on
6 Chicago's North Side and was a graduate of Lake View High
7 School; he earned the title of most valuable player in both
8 basketball and baseball and played in an all-star competition
9 at Wrigley Field; in his late teens, Mr. Dillard also had a
10 brief stint in baseball's minor leagues, playing second base in
11 the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization; and
 
12     WHEREAS, In 1946, Mr. Dillard joined the Army and toured
13 the country playing baseball; he used his love of the game to
14 break down racial barriers during the late 1940s as the
15 organizer and captain of one of the United States Army's first
16 interracial baseball teams; and
 
17     WHEREAS, After his military discharge he received a
18 bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University and a
19 master's degree in history from DePaul University; he taught
20 history for nearly 40 years at Hinsdale Central High School,
21 where he also enjoyed coaching baseball; he retired in 1993;
22 and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, He is remembered as a kind, generous soul and a
2 mentor to many of the younger teachers at Hinsdale Central High
3 School; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Mr. Dillard is survived by his wife of 58 years,
5 Martina; his son, State Senator Kirk Dillard; his daughters,
6 Karyn "Mina" Dillard-Gits and Kimberly Dillard-Schaeffer; his
7 brother, William; and his six grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
8     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
9 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
10 his family, friends, former colleagues and students, the
11 passing of Edward Dillard; and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13 presented to the family of Edward Dillard Jr. as a symbol of
14 our sincere sympathy.