SR0162 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0162 LRB096 12080 KXB 24130 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Rachel M. "Grammy" Sweitzer, nee Fairbanks, of Wilmette, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, She was born in Wisconsin, south of Fairwater; her parents were the late Frank and Paulina Daane Fairbanks; and she was a graduate of Brandon High School; and

WHEREAS, She graduated from St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond du Lac in 1935; she worked for Hines V.A. Hospital before her military service; and

WHEREAS, She was a Captain in the United States Army Nurse Corp, serving with the 4th Auxiliary Surgical group during World War II and participated in the Allied Invasion of France, landing at Utah Beach in Normandy; she served with General George Patton while in Europe; she met her husband while serving overseas; and she was awarded the Bronze Star and the Government of France awarded her the National Order of the Legion of Honor on May 7, 2005 for her service as a nurse during the War; and

WHEREAS, She was a devoted soccer, basketball, and lacrosse grandmother; and

WHEREAS, She was the loving wife of the Caesar Sweitzer, M.D.; the cherished mother of Caesar (Peg), Dean (Patricia), Rick (Helen), and David (Kam) Sweitzer; the loving and proud grandmother of Emily, Charles, Rachael, Christopher, Taylor, and Anna; and is survived by many dear nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

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

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