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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Norma Bernsohn, nee Raphael, who passed
4 away on April 15, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Norma Bernsohn was born in New York City in 1917;
6 she attended Brooklyn College until her marriage to Joseph
7 Bernsohn in 1940; and
 
8     WHEREAS, After ten years as a mother and wife, Norma
9 Bernsohn attended Chicago Teachers College, where she obtained
10 her degree in education; she then taught in several elementary
11 schools around Chicago, including schools in the Cabrini Green
12 area; during her tenure at York Center, she pioneered the
13 concept of a parenting program so that home life could
14 compliment the school experience for children; she was also
15 critical in the development of one of the first Head Start
16 programs in the country at Jane Addams Hull House and was one
17 of the forces behind the annual "Week of the Young Child"; and
 
18     WHEREAS, After earning her Master's Degree in Early
19 Childhood Development from Northwestern University, Norma
20 Bernsohn had a career educating future teachers at both Malcolm
21 X College and Truman College in Chicago; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, Norma Bernsohn's teaching style and innovative
2 methods undoubtedly inspired and influenced hundreds of
3 excellent and dedicated educators teaching throughout the
4 country today; and
 
5     WHEREAS, In her later years, Norma Bernsohn enjoyed
6 spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
7 spending winters in Ajijic, Mexico with her husband, square
8 dancing, enjoying her home in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and
9 traveling around the world; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Norma Bernsohn will be remembered by all who knew
11 and loved her for her vibrant spirit, positive attitude and
12 unending energy, which was felt by all in her presence;
13 therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
15 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
16 her family and friends, the passing of Norma Bernsohn; and be
17 it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to the family of Norma Bernsohn as an expression of
20 our sympathy.