SR0232 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0232 LRB100 11712 MST 22722 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Rep. Robert "Bob" H. Michel of Peoria, who passed away on February 17, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel was born in Peoria to Charles H. and Anna (Baer) Michel on March 2, 1923; he graduated from Peoria High School, where he was the President of his class; he attended one semester at Bradley University in Peoria prior to joining the United States Army during World War II; he landed in Normandy on the fourth day of the D-Day invasion of Europe; he received two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and four Battle Stars; upon returning from the war, he re-enrolled at Bradley University and graduated with a degree in business administration; he married Corinne Woodruff on December 26, 1948; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel began a career in politics that spanned nearly 50 years; he served as the top Republican in the United States House of Representatives for 14 years; he led Republicans through the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and in the years preceding the transfer of power in the U.S. House of Representatives from Democratic to Republican for the first time in 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal in 1989 from President Reagan and the Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1994; he received the first Congressional Distinguished Service Award in 2000; then-President of France, Jacques Chirac, named him to the Knights of the Legion of Honor in June of 2004, during the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landing; he participated in ceremonies marking the anniversary in England and France; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel received many honors and recognitions, most notably a bridge spanning the Illinois River and a veterans clinic in Peoria are named in his honor; the student center at Bradley University and the cloakroom at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C. are also named after him; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel was a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs; he enjoyed golf, music, singing, and gardening; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; and his wife, Corinne; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Michel is survived by a sister; his children, Scott, Bruce, Laurie, and Robin; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Rep. Robert "Bob" H. Michel, 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 Rep. Michel as an expression of our deepest sympathy.