SR0043 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0043 LRB103 29180 LAW 55567 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Keisuke "Kei" Nozaki of Macomb, who passed away on January 25, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Keisuke Nozaki was born to Machiko Nozaki in Tokyo, Japan in June 1977; he received his Bachelor of Science in Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences from the University of South Dakota in 2001; he earned his Master of Arts in Geography from Western Illinois University in 2007; he married Abigail Ackmann on June 6, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Keisuke Nozaki served as a Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) specialist for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from May 2001 to September 2002, where he generated maps for water quality, pesticide, and air quality projects and was celebrated as not only a proficient professional but also a sincere humanitarian in his approach to his service; he then served as a GIS specialist for ESRI Japan Corporation from October 2002 to December 2004, where he expanded GIS markets by analyzing applications in many industries and teaching the ArcGIS software to prospective customers; and

WHEREAS, Keisuke Nozaki returned to Western Illinois University (WIU) in September 2007, serving as a GIS specialist for WIU's GIS Center and developing a spatial database for the City of Macomb, McDonough County, and WIU; he became manager in November 2020, managing a variety of geospatial projects for the McDonough County GIS Consortium and other clients in western Illinois; during his tenure, he served as a skilled GIS expert for students of the WIU Geographic Information Science Department and community volunteers, including localities around west central Illinois; he was an irreplaceable manager for the GIS Center and was noted by colleagues for his dedication and pride in his work; and

WHEREAS, Keisuke Nozaki was known for his kindness, his mission-driven focus, and his loyalty to his coworkers, clients, and those seeking knowledge; and

WHEREAS, Keisuke Nozaki was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents; and

WHEREAS, Keisuke Nozaki his wife of 13 years, Abigail Nozaki; his sons, Sola Nozaki and Saku Nozaki; his mother, Machiko Nozaki; his brother, Yuma Nozaki; and his extended family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Keisuke "Kei" Nozaki 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 Keisuke Nozaki as an expression of our deepest sympathy.