SR0788 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0788 LRB095 21802 GRL 52019 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Georgiann Goodson, who passed away on May 25, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Georgiann Goodson was born in Joliet in 1927; she spent most of her life promoting and practicing the belief that live theatre and its attending arts are as vital to the human spirit and collective humanity as food and drink; and

WHEREAS, Georgiann Goodson dedicated much of her life to the production and performance of fine art; she served as the manager of the Will-Joliet Bicentennial Park Theatre from 1977 to 1999; she served as president and was a 55-year member of the Joliet Drama Guild; she directed and performed at each of the Guild's venues, including the Totem Pole Playhouse, the Orpheum Theatre, the Curbside Playhouse, and Bicentennial Park, and arranged poetry readings at numerous organizations; she also created the Christmas Gnome Show, now an annual family fixture in Will County, early in her tenure at the Park; and

WHEREAS, Georgiann Goodson was married to Glenn Goodson for over 50 years; together, they explored Chicago's smaller ethnic restaurants and neighborhoods during the 1950s to the 1980s, long before they were in fashion; they also explored foreign films and nascent experimental theatre in Chicago; some of their most exciting theatre experiences took place in their living room with plays and poetry readings among assembled "gatherings" of various artists throughout the country; they also hosted the annual Theatre Patshiva Golf Tournament, where actors would come from around the country to test their skills against Big Run and Cog Hill #2; and

WHEREAS, Georgiann Goodson was preceded in death by her husband; she will be dearly missed by her close friends, John Lordan and Sue Martin; and

WHEREAS, Georgiann Goodson's dedication to her profession and her willingness to bring fine art into the lives of others will be missed greatly by all she knew and loved; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Georgiann Goodson; and be it further

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