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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Taylor Nicole Pinkas Rogers of
4 Edwardsville, who passed away on January 24, 2009; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Taylor was born on February 6, 1999; she was the
6 daughter of Jodi Pinkas and resided with her great aunt, Debbie
7 Dycus, who was her loving caregiver and guardian for the past
8 nine years; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Taylor was born healthy and was developing
10 typically, but was the victim of Shaken Baby Abuse/Abusive Head
11 Trauma at the age of 10 weeks; although she was not expected to
12 live, she survived, defying all odds; she was confined to a
13 wheelchair and was unable to move her body or speak, but her
14 smiles and laughs spoke volumes and she accomplished many great
15 things; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Taylor was known to many in her area, across the
17 State of Illinois, the United States, and internationally as an
18 icon in the efforts to educate about and end Shaken Baby
19 Abuse/Abusive Head Trauma; in her short life, she attended four
20 national shaken baby conferences, with two of them in Canada;
21 with the help of her Aunt Debbie, she educated many students in
22 local school districts, daycare providers, and professionals

 

 

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1 on the dangers of shaking a baby and how to cope with a crying
2 baby; she also testified before the Illinois House of
3 Representatives and Illinois Senate in Springfield and,
4 without saying a word, helped bring about change and awareness
5 with the help of State Senator William Haine and his
6 legislative assistant, Cheri Frizzo; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Taylor was a third grade student at Albert Cassens
8 Elementary in Glen Carbon and was previously a student at
9 Leclaire Elementary in Edwardsville, Hamel Elementary, and
10 Midway Elementary; she loved going to school to be with her
11 peers, dedicated teachers and staff, therapists, and everyone
12 she encountered at school; she also enjoyed riding the bumpy
13 bus to school when she was well enough; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Taylor enjoyed listening to her music, having
15 Kirsten Dycus play with/for her, and going to the beach in
16 Florida to listen to the waves crashing on the shore; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Taylor was preceded in death by her great
18 grandfathers, Frank L. Pinkas and James R. Thomas; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Taylor is survived by her mother; her great aunt;
20 Kenneth (Lindsay) Dycus, Matt Dycus (Natalie Isaak), and
21 Kirsten Dycus; her half-sisters, Jaidyn and Jazdyn Miles; her
22 grandparents, Scott Pinkas and Debbie Reed; her uncle, Kevin

 

 

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1 Pinkas; her great-grandmothers, Bernice Pinkas and Alta
2 Berniece Thomas; her aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and
3 her amazing, loving, and dedicated pediatrician, Dr. Jamil
4 Rana; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Taylor will be remembered by all who knew and
6 loved her as a wonderful little girl with a beautiful smile,
7 whose determination, courage, strength, and purpose inspired
8 everyone she met; therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
10 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
11 her family and friends, the passing of Taylor Nicole Pinkas
12 Rogers; and be it further
 
13     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of Taylor Nicole Pinkas Rogers as an
15 expression of our sympathy.