SR0273 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0273 LRB101 11792 ALS 58568 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Michael "Joe" Bergen of Brownsville, who passed away on November 24, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Joe Bergen was born to Judge Frances and Florence Louise (Dunn) Bergen on November 26, 1961; and

WHEREAS, Joe Bergen joined the Communications and Research Staff upon the recommendation of Senator Vince Demuzio in 1984; until 2004, he was a member of the Democratic Caucus staff of the Illinois Senate and served under the leadership of Senate President Phil Rock and later Democratic Leader and President of the Senate, Emil Jones Jr.; and

WHEREAS, In his 20 years of service in the Senate, Joe Bergen mentored hundreds of young staffers who came to learn that his lessons on life and work were true and honest instructions on how to succeed in the high-pressure world of state government administration, as well as life in general; while he worked for the Senate Democratic Caucus, he was never too busy to take time out of his day to help anyone in the Capitol who was in need; he reminded all of those with whom he associated that no one, regardless of their position in life, was beyond the courtesy of being recognized and greeted in the hallways of the Capitol or the streets of the city and asked how they were doing that day; and

WHEREAS, Joe Bergen was the ultimate helper; he would happily run an errand, offer a piece of furniture from his vintage collection, or just pass on a kind word and smile; and

WHEREAS, When not at the Capitol, Joe Bergen was an amazing carpenter and electrician; he built decks and tree houses that housed his collections and light displays that, at times, lit up his entire neighborhood; he enjoyed welcoming friends and showing them his latest creations; he was a great lover of music and had hundreds of albums and cassettes in his collection, any of which he would give away to the first person who asked about one of them; and

WHEREAS, During his time at the Capitol, Joe Bergen became a fixture, one of those rare individuals whose impact and influence will be remembered not just by those with whom he worked but also by those who will hear of his life and lessons for years to come; and

WHEREAS, Joe Bergen was preceded in death by his beloved dog, Nick; and

WHEREAS, Joe Bergen is survived by his siblings, Mary (Randy) Stoddard, Edward (Kathleen) Bergen, Thomas (Sue) Bergen, and James Bergen; and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joseph Michael "Joe" Bergen 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 Joe Bergen as an expression of our deepest sympathy.