HR1252 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1252 LRB099 21844 MST 48697 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Brent of Aurora, who passed away on May 5, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent was born in Thackeray on February 20, 1939; he moved to Aurora in 1946 and graduated from East Aurora High School in 1957; he earned his bachelor's degree from LaSalle Extension University of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent had a 28-year career with the Aurora Police Department, the last 12 as Chief; he was the City of Aurora's 21st Chief of Police, and one of the youngest police chiefs in the United States to lead a department in a city the size of Aurora; he was hired in 1961, promoted to Sergeant in 1968, to Lieutenant in 1971, and to Captain in 1974; in 1966, while he was still an officer, he was instrumental in the police department's complete restructuring; as Chief, he organized the first Special Response (SWAT) Team, oversaw implementation of 911 service and computer-aided dispatch in the city, planned and implemented the department's first cadet program, and introduced several community initiatives including Crime Stoppers and Neighborhood Watch; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent retired on September 1, 1989, but continued to volunteer with many civic organizations; he also worked as public relations director at Aurora's Alarm Detection Systems for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent was especially proud of his 44-year involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, where he had been club President and Kiwanian of the Year; he was responsible for the creation of Aurora's Golden Kiwanis Club and volunteered as a Scout leader for many years; he was a lifetime member of the Juvenile Protective Association and was active in the Illinois and International Association of Chiefs of Police; he was also involved in the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, the former Mercy Center Foundation Board, and many other civic and church clubs; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent organized monthly Wednesday night police retiree dinners at the old Pat's Pub in Aurora's West Town Plaza; and

WHEREAS, Robert Brent is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice; his son, Mark Brent, and his wife, Kristen; his daughter, Ann Marie Pawlisz, and her husband, Joseph; his seven grandchildren; his sister, Beverly Williams; his brother, Gary Brent; his brother-in-law, Richard Olson; and other relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Brent, 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 Robert Brent as an expression of our deepest sympathy.