HR0612 LRB093 15105 KEF 40697 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Joel M.
4 Tomas of Palos Hills on December 13, 2003; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Mr. Tomas was the longest serving alderman in
6 Palos Hills history; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Mr. Tomas was born in Chicago and raised on the
8 South Side; he attended Gage Park High School, Wilson Junior
9 College, and graduated from Roosevelt University with a degree
10 in science; he later returned to Roosevelt to get a master's in
11 guidance counseling; and
 
12     WHEREAS, He began his teaching career at Reavis High School
13 in Burbank in 1967; for 32 years he taught human biology and
14 physical science; he created an environmental science course,
15 sponsored the senior class and the science club, started a
16 recycling program, and became a guidance counselor; and
 
17     WHEREAS, After Mr. Tomas retired as a teacher, he became a
18 career coordinator at Reavis and developed a program for
19 at-risk students to explore career options; and
 
20     WHEREAS, For 12 years, starting in the late 1960s, he also
21 worked as a laboratory technician at St. Elizabeth Hospital on
22 the Northwest Side; he also taught a judo class and was a high
23 school wrestling referee for 14 years; and
 
24     WHEREAS, As an alderman, Mr. Tomas represented Palos Hills'
25 4th Ward and chaired the Public Works Committee, where he
26 helped develop a comprehensive drainage program to solve
27 flooding problems and started a recycling program; he also
28 chaired the Palos Hills Emergency Services Disaster Agency; and
 

 

 

HR0612 - 2 - LRB093 15105 KEF 40697 r

1     WHEREAS, The passing of Joel M. Tomas will be deeply felt
2 by many, especially his wife of 35 years, Leona; his two
3 daughters, Lara and Lee Ann; his son, Joel; and his sister,
4 Heleane Battaglia; therefore, be it
 
5     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7 mourn the passing of Joel M. Tomas along with all who knew and
8 loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
9 friends, and community; and be it further
 
10     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11 presented to the family of Joel M. Tomas as an expression of
12 deepest sympathy.