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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of  Ray Spooner of Urbana, who passed away on 
4August 8, 2016; and

  
 
5    WHEREAS, Ray Spooner was diagnosed with Amyotrophic 
6Lateral Sclerosis in December of 2014 and accepted his 
7diagnosis with grace; on his three-item bucket list was a 
8cross-country bicycle ride from San Diego to St. Augustine, 
9Florida to raise funds for ALS awareness and research; on day 
10five, an accident resulting in seven broken bones ended his 
11original vision of the ride and the diminished line-up of 
12riders continued with Ray and Rae as support; in Austin, he was 
13outfitted with a recumbent trike and was able to fulfill his 
14dream, finish the ride, and dip his wheel into the Atlantic 
15Ocean, accompanied by his family and friends; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Ray Spooner spent his final months at home, being 
17cared for by his wife, children, family, and friends; unable to 
18speak, he communicated by one-thumb texting and through his 
19eloquently written blog, rayslittleride.com; and

  
 
20    WHEREAS, Ray Spooner is survived by his wife, Rae; his 
21children, Lisa (Corey) Curtiss, Manu, and Sophia; his grandson, 
22Jack Curtiss; his mother, Jeanne Spooner; his sister, Lynn 
 
 
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1Wallis and her family; his in-laws, Tauby Shimkin and Paul 
2Weichsel; and many extended family members; therefore, be it
  
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL 
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his 
5family and friends, mourn the passing of Ray Spooner; and be it 
6further
  
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
8presented to the family of Ray Spooner as an expression of our 
9sympathy.