SR0562 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0562 LRB103 35061 ECR 65012 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert William "Bob" Haisman of Oak Park, who passed away on September 2, 2023 at the age of 77; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman was born in Chicago on October 7, 1945; he grew up in Berwyn, and his childhood was filled with playing outside and spending time with friends; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman spent the Saturdays of his childhood working with his father, Louis, who was a strong union activist and worked for the Sunbeam Corporation; at an early age, he also began accompanying his mother, Mildred, on political errands, which ranged from raising awareness of Democratic candidates to ringing doorbells to ask for support; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman loved learning; when he was in fifth grade, a teacher called his parents and encouraged them to send him to college, so they made it their mission to do so; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman attended Morton West High School and graduated in 1963 at the age of 17; his summer job that year was working in the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations' Chicago headquarters, where he saw a flier for a bus to attend the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman took the 19-hour bus ride to Washington, D.C., his first visit to the nation's capital, and heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech in-person, an experience that moved him profoundly and spoke to his core belief that all men are created equal; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman attended Morton Junior College for two years; he then enrolled at Illinois State University; in 1968, he graduated with both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman was hired shortly after his graduation to teach history at Hinsdale South High School, making many lifelong friends with fellow teachers and cultivating positive relationships with his students who affectionately nicknamed him "Hais"; and

WHEREAS, When he began working, Bob Haisman immediately joined the Hinsdale High School Teachers' Association, starting his lifelong commitment to fighting for the rights of students and teachers; during his over 30-year career at Hinsdale, he helped organize events to raise money for student activities and became a leader in every fight for better working conditions and wages for school staff; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman took a six-year leave from teaching to serve two terms as president of the Illinois Education Association; he worked tirelessly with Executive Director Clay Marquardt to create a positive framework for serving districts across the State; during this time, he lobbied then-State Senator Barack Obama, urging him to support various bills that aimed to improve education quality in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman loved working with students, and teaching showcased his heart and soul; his sense of humor, work ethic, and treatment of his students as young adults, not children, guaranteed that he was a hit; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman continued working hard later in life, focusing on a number of issues, including social justice, poverty, hunger, gun violence, and more; his allegiance to liberal activism and causes was demonstrated in his work as a precinct captain for State Senator Phil Rock and his work with State Senator Don Harmon and the Democratic Party of Oak Park, where he inspired and encouraged many and served as the longtime leader of the Farmer's Market crew; he had an extensive history of volunteering for former President Barack Obama, helping with his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, his 2008 presidential campaign, and his 2012 re-election campaign; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman and his wife, Janet, loved sharing holiday and travel experiences with their nieces and nephews, which included an overland trip from Germany to Russia, a safari experience in Tanzania, and a visit to Australia; for their 40th wedding anniversary, celebrated in July of 2023, he and Janet took an Ohio River cruise; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman greeted life with gusto and never stopped his pursuit of knowledge; as a champion for the rights and responsibilities of students and teachers, a good listener, and a loyal friend, he will be missed in unforeseeable ways; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wayne; his brother-in-law, David; his sister-in-law, Grace; and many friends; and

WHEREAS, Bob Haisman is survived by his wife; his nephews and their families, Dale (DeDe, Chris, and Caitlin) and Brett (Tammie, Shannon, and Sam); his former sisters-in-law, Diane and Margie; his brother-in-law, Jack Knowles and his children and their families, Jacqui (Trish), Ben (Elizabeth and Maisie), and Rachel (Ashley, Kenzie, and Claire); and his brother-in-law David's children, Juliet (Sage, Lindsey, and Autumn) and Adam (Alma, Camila, and Victoria); 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 Robert William "Bob" Haisman 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 Bob Haisman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.