SR0639 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0639 LRB094 19663 HSS 56113 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the untimely death of Thaddeus Weisner of Aurora on Wednesday, January 18, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born on September 7, 1984, to Tom and Marilyn Weisner on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands; his parents had joined the Peace Corps in 1980 and spent five years in the Solomon Islands, helping bush people in numerous capacities, including community development, nutrition, sanitation, and education; he spent his first 11 months living in the rainforests of the Tetekanji District; the family returned to Aurora when Thad was 11 months old; and

WHEREAS, He attended Gates, Johnson, and Freeman elementary schools and Washington Middle School; he was in his final semester at Hope D. Wall High School, whose staff and students he especially loved; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Weisner endured a lifelong battle with cerebral palsy, and though he was unable to speak, his face and expression spoke volumes; his positive spirit and outlook was admired, and through his expressions, he was able to communicate the true joy of life, offering inspiration to those around him as he worked hard to accomplish his goals; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Thaddeus Weisner has been deeply felt by many, especially his parents, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and Marilyn Weisner; his brother, Anthony Scotti and his fiancee, Kristin, and newborn daughter, Olivia; his paternal and maternal grandmothers, Cassie Weisner and Margaret Hogan; his many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and the faculty, staff, and students of Hope D. Wall High School; he was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandfathers, John T. Weisner and Frank P. Hogan, and his step-grandmother, Mary Weisner; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thaddeus Weisner, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 his family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.