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SR0446 - 104th General Assembly
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| 1 | SENATE RESOLUTION | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened | ||||||
| 3 | to learn of the death of Richard John Hamersma, Ph.D., who | ||||||
| 4 | passed away on April 17, 2025 at the age of 82; and | ||||||
| 5 | WHEREAS, Dr. Hamersma earned his master's degree and Ph.D. | ||||||
| 6 | in Psychology from Michigan State University; and | ||||||
| 7 | WHEREAS, Dr. Hamersma became a highly accomplished | ||||||
| 8 | psychologist, educator, and award-winning songwriter; and | ||||||
| 9 | WHEREAS, Dr. Hamersma became an assistant professor at | ||||||
| 10 | DePaul University before transitioning to private practice, | ||||||
| 11 | where he served as a clinical psychologist and director of the | ||||||
| 12 | Growth Process Center; and | ||||||
| 13 | WHEREAS, Dr. Hamersma was deeply passionate about | ||||||
| 14 | songwriting; in addition to his academic and clinical | ||||||
| 15 | contributions, his lyrics gained international recognition, | ||||||
| 16 | frequently reaching the finals of the United Kingdom | ||||||
| 17 | Songwriting Contest; and | ||||||
| 18 | WHEREAS, Dr. Hamersma possessed a profound appreciation | ||||||
| 19 | for the emotional impact of words, whether expressed through | ||||||
| 20 | therapy, poetry, or music; and | ||||||
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| 1 | WHEREAS, Dr. Hamersma was a resident of Oak Park for more | ||||||
| 2 | than 40 years, contributing to the community with his vibrant | ||||||
| 3 | creativity and active engagement; and | ||||||
| 4 | WHEREAS, Dr. Hamersma is survived by his children, John | ||||||
| 5 | Hamersma, David Hamersma, Amelia Contolini, and Ana-Sage | ||||||
| 6 | Hartu, and his grandchildren, Marisol Hartu and Edward Hartu | ||||||
| 7 | Jr.; therefore, be it | ||||||
| 8 | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL | ||||||
| 9 | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of | ||||||
| 10 | Richard John Hamersma, Ph.D. and extend our sincere | ||||||
| 11 | condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved | ||||||
| 12 | him; and be it further | ||||||
| 13 | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | ||||||
| 14 | presented to the family of Dr. Hamersma as an expression of our | ||||||
| 15 | deepest sympathy. | ||||||