SR0801 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0801 LRB095 21894 GRL 52161 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Graves of Peoria, who passed away on July 13, 2008; and

WHEREAS, James Graves was born on May 16, 1954 in Peoria; his parents were Clifford and Gloria (Deluhery) Graves; he married Patricia "Patti" Button on September 11, 1976; and

WHEREAS, James Graves was a graduate of Richwoods High School; after graduation, he followed the family tradition, becoming a member of Local 17 Heat and Frost Insulators for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, James Graves was an active member of the Peoria County Democrats and served as an elected Peoria County Precinct Committeeman; and

WHEREAS, James Graves was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, where he founded and organized the Men's Club smokers and coached soccer at the grade school long after his children were grown; he also served as president and board member of the WKRRA Neighborhood Association for more than a decade; and

WHEREAS, Living according to the motto "it's nice to be nice", James Graves drove patients to treatment through the Road to Recovery volunteer program and was a mentor to many at the Cancer Center for Healthy Living; he spoke as a patient advocate at oncology conferences, inspiring others with his determination, education, and practical, no-nonsense advice; he was awarded the American Cancer Society's 2007 Outstanding Health Initiatives Volunteer Award in recognition of his work; and

WHEREAS, James Graves was preceded in death by his father and his brother; and

WHEREAS, James Graves is survived by his wife; his children, Jamie Lynne and Ryan Patrick; his mother; and his sisters, Nancy (Steve) Luenz, Kathy (Bill) Graves, Mary Ann (Steve) Jostad and Sue Graves; and

WHEREAS, James Graves will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a dedicated and loving father and husband whose wit, verve, and big heart made him a treasured personality in the community; 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 James Graves; and be it further

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