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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Hull, Ph.D., of
4Palatine, who passed away on August 3, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Betty Hull was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
6on January 10, 1937; she lived most of her life in the Midwest;
7she graduated from high school in Park Forest, Illinois; she
8earned degrees at Wright Junior College, Northwestern
9University, and Loyola University; she married Frederik Pohl
10in 1984, and he preceded her in death in 2013; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Betty Hull taught English and Science Fiction at
12William Rainey Harper College for over 30 years, where she
13headed the Honors Program and earned the Distinguished Faculty
14Award in 1997; she was honored with the Award of Merit for
15contributions to her profession by the Northwestern University
16Alumni Association in 1995; after retiring as professor
17emerita, she established the Elizabeth Schmik Hull Fund, a
18scholarship to honor her mother and namesake, at Harper
19College; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Alongside her husband, acclaimed science fiction
21(SF) writer Frederik Pohl, Betty Hull published the
22international anthology Tales from the Planet Earth in 1986;

 

 

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1they also attended numerous SF conventions and developed deep,
2long-lasting connections with SF authors, editors, publishers,
3and fans throughout the world; she was the editor of the
4tribute anthology Gateways: Original New Stories Inspired by
5Frederik Pohl in 2010; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Betty Hull served as president and newsletter
7editor of the Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA),
8where she received the Thomas D. Clareson Award for
9Distinguished Service from SFRA in 1997; she served as the
10North American secretary for the World SF International
11Organization for Professionals for over ten years; she was a
12juror for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best SF novel
13for over 20 years; she wrote many critical essays, convention
14reports, and other non-fiction, with work appearing in
15Extrapolation, Fantasy Review, Locus, and other publications;
16she lectured on SF, ran writers' workshops, and helped run
17numerous conventions; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Betty Hull was a member of the Palatine Area
19League of Women Voters; she was selected by the Democratic
20Party as its nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives of
21Illinois' 8th District against long-time Republican incumbent
22Phil Crane in 1996; she was defeated but continued to be active
23in the Palatine League of Women Voters for more than 30 years
24and served as president from 1999 to 2001; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Betty Hull was a scholar, an author, an editor, a
2teacher, and a political activist; she was known for being
3ahead of her time, well versed, and a champion of women's
4rights; she will be remembered especially for her devotion to
5her large blended family; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Betty Hull is survived by her daughters from her
7first marriage, Catherine Pizzaro and Barbara Patterson; her
8stepchildren from her marriage to Frederik Pohl, Frederik Pohl
9IV, Ann Pohl, and Kathy Pohl; her grandchildren, Christine
10McElwee and Eric Wintczak; her great-grandchildren, Everett
11McElwee, Audrey McElwee, and Leif Wintczak; her sisters,
12Gloria May Hull and Trudi Bellardo Hahn; and her cousin, Myra
13Gillum; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
16Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Hull, Ph.D., and extend our sincere
17condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
18her; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to the family of Betty Hull as an expression of our
21deepest sympathy.