SR0108 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0108 LRB095 11507 KXB 32729 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lester H. Miller of Hinsdale, who passed away on February 20, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Lester Miller was born February 3, 1924 in Belleville; he was a standout athlete at Belleville Township High School, winning eight varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball; he turned down professional offers after high school to attend the University of Illinois in Urbana; and

WHEREAS, Lester Miller enlisted in the United States Army during World War II; he was stationed in Hawaii at the end of the war; after the war he returned to the University of Illinois, earned his degree, and played outfield on the University baseball team, winning Big Ten championships in 1947 and 1948; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Miller served as the University of Illinois-Navy Pier's first head baseball coach in 1949; he built the foundation for the current program while he served as coach; he is the team's all-time winningest coach with 509 career victories; and

WHEREAS, During his time as a coach, his teams amassed 10 Chicagoland College Baseball League Championships and six CCBL tournament titles; and

WHEREAS, He was the founder of the UIC Athletic Alumni Club, serving as the president of the organization for more than 20 years; he was elected to the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991, and in 1999 the baseball field at the University of Illinois-Chicago was renamed Les Miller Field; and

WHEREAS, Lester Miller was inducted into the Navy Pier Hall of Fame in February 2006; he received the American Association of Baseball Coaches Lefty Gomez Award in 1974 for his outstanding contributions and distinguished service to college baseball; and

WHEREAS, Lester Miller formed camps and clinics for coaches and umpires; he organized and conducted the University of Illinois-Chicago Baseball Coaching and Umpiring Clinics in 1951, recognized as the first baseball clinic for coaches and umpires in the country; and

WHEREAS, Lester H. Miller is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis, nee Kieskalt; his children, Martha (Henry) Sandifer, Judy (Larry) Wedryk, Ellen (Larry) Buege, Gail (Paul) Smith, Nancy (Bob) Heidenreich, Mike (MaryAnn), Janet (Rich) Deinert, and Jeanne Anderko (Burt Siegel); his 17 grandchildren; and his 11 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Lester H. Miller; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lester H. Miller as a symbol of our sympathy.