SR0465 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0465 LRB102 19564 LAW 28332 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Hull, Ph.D., of Palatine, who passed away on August 3, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Betty Hull was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania on January 10, 1937; she lived most of her life in the Midwest; she graduated from high school in Park Forest, Illinois; she earned degrees at Wright Junior College, Northwestern University, and Loyola University; she married Frederik Pohl in 1984, and he preceded her in death in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Betty Hull taught English and Science Fiction at William Rainey Harper College for over 30 years, where she headed the Honors Program and earned the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1997; she was honored with the Award of Merit for contributions to her profession by the Northwestern University Alumni Association in 1995; after retiring as professor emerita, she established the Elizabeth Schmik Hull Fund, a scholarship to honor her mother and namesake, at Harper College; and

WHEREAS, Alongside her husband, acclaimed science fiction (SF) writer Frederik Pohl, Betty Hull published the international anthology Tales from the Planet Earth in 1986; they also attended numerous SF conventions and developed deep, long-lasting connections with SF authors, editors, publishers, and fans throughout the world; she was the editor of the tribute anthology Gateways: Original New Stories Inspired by Frederik Pohl in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Betty Hull served as president and newsletter editor of the Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA), where she received the Thomas D. Clareson Award for Distinguished Service from SFRA in 1997; she served as the North American secretary for the World SF International Organization for Professionals for over ten years; she was a juror for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best SF novel for over 20 years; she wrote many critical essays, convention reports, and other non-fiction, with work appearing in Extrapolation, Fantasy Review, Locus, and other publications; she lectured on SF, ran writers' workshops, and helped run numerous conventions; and

WHEREAS, Betty Hull was a member of the Palatine Area League of Women Voters; she was selected by the Democratic Party as its nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives of Illinois' 8th District against long-time Republican incumbent Phil Crane in 1996; she was defeated but continued to be active in the Palatine League of Women Voters for more than 30 years and served as president from 1999 to 2001; and

WHEREAS, Betty Hull was a scholar, an author, an editor, a teacher, and a political activist; she was known for being ahead of her time, well versed, and a champion of women's rights; she will be remembered especially for her devotion to her large blended family; and

WHEREAS, Betty Hull is survived by her daughters from her first marriage, Catherine Pizzaro and Barbara Patterson; her stepchildren from her marriage to Frederik Pohl, Frederik Pohl IV, Ann Pohl, and Kathy Pohl; her grandchildren, Christine McElwee and Eric Wintczak; her great-grandchildren, Everett McElwee, Audrey McElwee, and Leif Wintczak; her sisters, Gloria May Hull and Trudi Bellardo Hahn; and her cousin, Myra Gillum; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Hull, Ph.D., and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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