SR0915 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0915 LRB098 19669 MST 54872 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Joseph C. Morton of Crystal Lake, who passed away on January 22, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Morton was born to Harold Sylvanus and Rhoda Ethelwyn (nee Cowin) Morton in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 13, 1932; he attended the University of Maryland, where he received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and doctorate degrees; he served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957; he married Deanne Ekstrom on June 19, 1954; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Morton was an American History professor at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago for 34 years, retiring in 2001; he was a visiting professor at Nanjing University in China in 1990 and, from 1964 to 1967, an associate professor at Waynesburg College in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania; beginning in 2010, he was a columnist for the Northwest Herald; he wrote 13 articles, 42 book and article reviews, and authored 2 books in the field of history; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Morton earned numerous accolades throughout his life; he was included in the 47th edition of "Who's Who in America" and was awarded the Northeastern Illinois University Alumni Association's 1973 Faculty of the Year Award and the Northeastern Illinois University Faculty Excellence Award in 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998, and 1999; his civic club and philanthropic organization memberships included Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society) 1958-present, the Society of Midland Authors 2006-present, The American Legion 2003-present, and the Crystal Lake Historical Society 2009-present; he was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants and a member, elder, and deacon at Southminster Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Morton was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold Sylvanus Morton, Jr. and Richard Cowin Morton and by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Morton is survived by his wife of 59 years, Deanne; his children, Robert, Richard (Janine), Joseph Jr. (Kathleen), and Jacqueline; his grandchildren, Drew, Daniel, Sabra, and Noah Morton; his sister, Catherine Bork; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Joseph C. Morton, 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 this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Joseph Morton as an expression of our deepest sympathy.