HR0211 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0211 LRB101 11565 MST 58189 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened by the death of Dr. Vitor Westhelle, who passed away on May 13 2018; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle was born in Taquara, Brazil on January 1952 and pursued the study of theology at the former Faculdade de Teologia da IECLB in Sao Leopolodo, Brazil; he continued his studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where he earned a Masters of Theology, and at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota to earn his Ph.D.; and

WHEREAS, After completing his education, Dr. Westhelle served as a pastor in Paroquia Evangelica de Matelandia and as the coordinator of the Commission on Land in Parana, Brazil, where he worked with those struggling for land and justice, before returning to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1993 to work as an associate professor; he was named a full professor in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle spent his career traveling the world as a visiting professor; and

WHEREAS, During his career, Dr. Westhelle published 14 books and hundreds of articles in the English, Spanish, and Portugese languages, impacting the Lutheran church on a global scale; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle served as a valuable mentor to countless students over the decades of his career; and

WHEREAS, In the final weeks of his remarkable life, Dr. Westhelle was granted the prestigious title Doctor Honoris Causa in Theology in Latin America from the Executive Council of Faculdades Escola Superior de Teologia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Westhelle is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Christiane; his sons, Carlos Henrique, André, and Felipe; three daughters-in-law; and two granddaughters; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Vitor Westhelle and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Westhelle as an expression of our deepest sympathy.