SR0081 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0081 LRB095 11337 KXB 32403 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Francis Bernard of Burr Ridge, who passed away on February 2, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Robert Francis Bernard was born in Chicago on May 23, 1961; he was the co-founder of Whittman-Hart in 1984, his information technology consulting firm named after characters in the movie "The Paper Chase"; he was KPMG's High Tech Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997, and Crain's Chicago Business Executive of the Year in 1999; he was serving as CEO of Whittman-Hart, a successor company, with offices in nine U.S. cities at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, He supported Children's Memorial Hospital, and Marklund Foundation; he was a director of APAC Corporation; he was involved in the Hinsdale/Burr Ridge community, serving as a coach for his children's soccer program, T-ball and basketball teams, and participating with his daughter in Indian Princesses; he was an active member of the Clarendon Hills Community Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, In 2000 he allowed his corporate jet to be used to transport a cardiac surgeon enroute to harvest a heart for a transplant; the heart was harvested, transplanted, and the child's life was saved; and

WHEREAS, His passions included Chicago sports, especially the beloved Chicago Cubs; he was an avid golfer and member of Edgewood Valley Country Club; and he was a participant in the Chicago Marathon; and

WHEREAS, Robert Francis Bernard is survived by his wife, Elisa Fryer Bernard; his children, Kendal Elisabeth and Bryce Robert; his parents, Sandra and Charles Homola; his sister, Robin (Bill) Lewis; his grandmother, Mildred Toberman; his aunt, Sharon Toberman; his niece, Brittany Lewis; and his nephews, Billy and Bradley Lewis and Nolan Thomas Fryer; 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 Robert Francis Bernard; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Francis Bernard as a symbol of our sympathy.