SR0932 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0932 LRB099 14235 MST 38306 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bill O'Donnell of Rockford, who passed away on August 22, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Bill O'Donnell was born on August 21, 1926; and

WHEREAS, Bill O'Donnell worked as a civil engineer by trade, building roads, ramps, and bridges; he owned the Gregory-Anderson Company; and

WHEREAS, Bill O'Donnell was inducted into the Order of St. Gregory the Great of the Roman Catholic Church in 1998 and was a recipient of the first Rockford Register Star Excalibur Award for community service in 1971; he accompanied Admiral Richard Byrd on an expedition to Antarctica and was a pilot, sailor, and hot air balloonist; and

WHEREAS, Bill O'Donnell was affectionately known as "The Great Connector"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bill O'Donnell, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bill O'Donnell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.