SR1375LRB100 20344 MST 35631 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Arthur Velasquez of North Aurora, who
4passed away on January 27, 2017; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez was born in Lockhart, Texas on
6December 30, 1934 and attended segregated schools with other
7Latino students; and
 
8    WHEREAS, As a young boy, Arthur Velasquez worked in his
9father's mechanic shop and learned that he was very skilled
10with his hands, which would play a role in his later life; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez became involved in politics at a
12young age and served on committees with his then-Congressman
13Lyndon Johnson; and
 
14    WHEREAS, In 1956, Arthur Velasquez met and married his
15wife, Alice; they were married for 41 years until her passing
16in 1997; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez became a carpenter and joined the
18United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC); in 1966, he was
19appointed as an organizer for the UBC and later became a
20representative for the International President of the UBC,

 

 

SR1375- 2 -LRB100 20344 MST 35631 r

1where he worked in several states, Puerto Rico, and the
2Caribbean; and
 
3    WHEREAS, In 1973, Arthur Velasquez's increased
4responsibilities with the carpenters union allowed him to move
5his family to North Aurora; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez was a true community servant and
7served on the boards of many community organizations in Aurora,
8including the United Way, the Urban League, the Hispanic
9Heritage Advisory Board, Family Counseling Service, Study
10Circles, Friends of Seniors, and Centro Panamericano; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez was heavily involved in
12Democratic politics in the Aurora area, having been a mentor
13for many elected officials, whether they were congressmen or
14township trustees; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez was a powerful voice for
16organized labor in the Aurora area; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez was a passionate advocate for
18education; after growing up in segregated schools, he fought
19for the right of all students to receive a quality education
20and saw it as a great equalizer; and
 

 

 

SR1375- 3 -LRB100 20344 MST 35631 r

1    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez served as president of League of
2United Latin American Citizens Council (LULAC) 5218 and the
3LULAC Council of the Aurora Foundation, where he raised more
4than $200,000 for scholarships for local students; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The stories of Arthur Velasquez's generosity and
6kindness in the Aurora community are countless; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Arthur Velasquez was the proud father of Patty,
8Valarie, Art, April, Crystal and Timothy; grandfather to Dodi,
9Jeremy, Christopher, Marcus, Jackie, Mike, Jeff, Amber,
10Autumn, Anthony, Tyler, and Sean; and great-grandfather to
11Veronica, Victoria, Mya, Liam, Camden, Saylor, Jack, Will,
12Brenna, and Jade; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Arthur Velasquez, and extend our sincere condolences to his
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
17further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Arthur Velasquez as an expression of
20our deepest sympathy.