HR0657 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0657 LRB100 15291 MST 30224 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. George Bark, who passed away on July 24, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bark was born in Harvey to Ralph and Irene Barker on August 17, 1959; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bark had a lifelong passion for learning and spent his academic career at the University of Illinois, first earning his bachelor's degree in biology in 1981 and then a master's degree in 1983; in 1993, he earned a Ph.D. in nutritional sciences, and in 1994, his medical degree, both also from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bark went on to complete his Family Practice Rural Residency Program at Union Hospital in Terre Haute and became board certified in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bark settled into family practice as a rural doctor in Paxton, working with Christie Clinic, the Provena Covenant Family Care Network, and eventually the Gibson Area Hospital whose staff considered him part of their family; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, Dr. Bark returned to the University of Illinois as a professor in their College of Medicine; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bark was a huge supporter of his alma mater and was a season ticket holder to football and basketball; he was also Gibson Hospital's representative on the Fighting Illini Golf team; and

WHEREAS, Dr Bark was selected to receive the 2017 Rural Physician of Excellence Award posthumously from the Illinois Rural Health Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bark made a huge impact on improving the healthcare environment through the many patients whose lives he touched as well as the medical students he inspired by his vast knowledge; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. George Bark, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Bark as an expression of our deepest sympathy.