SR0951 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Karras of Indian Head Park, who passed away on November 6, 2008; and

WHEREAS, John Karras, a schoolboy football phenom known as the "Argo Express," broke Red Grange's record for single season rushing touchdowns at the University of Illinois before a brief stint with the old Chicago Cardinals; and

WHEREAS, After his football career at Argo High School in Summit, Mr. Karras put in 19 months in the United States Army, serving in Japan during the Allied occupation, before suiting up for the Fighting Illini; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Karras went on to ramble for 2,135 yards during his playing career, still good enough for 10th on the school's list of all-time rushing leaders; in 1951, he scored 12 touchdowns on the ground during the season, tying Grange's record, then found pay dirt once more during the team's 40-7 New Year's Day rout of Stanford University in the Rose Bowl; his 13 total rushing touchdowns was tops for Illinois until Howard Griffith set a new mark of 15 in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Karras was a 1951 All America selection; the 1952 Rose Bowl was seen by a national television audience, and a TV guide dated December 29, 1951, featured Mr. Karras bursting through fallen linemen in his No. 48 jersey on its cover; Mr. Karras spent one season with the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League before an ankle injury ended his playing career; and

WHEREAS, He went on to a long career in real estate; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Karras is survived by his wife, Norma; his three sons, James, John, and William; his daughter, Laura Hegner; his six grandchildren; and his great-grandchild; 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 John Karras; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Karras as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.