SR0556 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0556 LRB102 20580 LAW 29450 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Elizabeth Ann Weidner of Dieterich, who passed away on September 29, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was born to Matthew and Jennifer (McCabe) Weidner in Effingham on January 2, 2004; she was named First Baby of the Year at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital; she was given the title of "Queen Elizabeth" by her great-grandfather, Albert, who affectionately called her "Queenie" growing up; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma in January 2016; she underwent numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, immunotherapy, clinical trials, and much more; she battled the disease with grace, determination, and strength for nearly 6 years; in the process, she inspired and impacted many; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was crowned Junior Miss Effingham County Fair in 2017, and she wore the crown and represented Effingham County with pride, attending many pageants, events, parades, and festivals across the State; after winning, she created Crowns Fight Cancer to raise money and awareness in the fight against childhood cancer with the motto "Just a Girl Changing the World One Rhinestone at a Time"; along with the help of several clubs, schools, communities, and businesses, she started an amenity drive, which has collected over 80,000 items to date; she donated these items to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in multiple states, helping families like hers by providing items they may be lacking during hospital stays, allowing families to focus on their children; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was involved in numerous activities, organizations, and clubs; she participated in modified pedal tractor pulls from a young age and competed in numerous competitions; she was the state champion in both Illinois and Indiana one year; she competed at nationals in Mitchell, South Dakota for many years, pulling at times in excess of 900 pounds; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was passionate about dancing and started taking lessons at Jansen's when she was 3 years old; she was a cheerleader for the Teutopolis Junior High School for 2 years; she became a Teutopolis High School Pomerette, fulfilling a childhood dream; she was named the Illinois High School Association Spirit of Sport winner in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was also passionate about theater and drama; she performed in numerous plays at the Effingham Performance Center, Teutopolis Junior High School, and Teutopolis High School; she performed in a lead role at the Teutopolis Terquasquicentennial Celebration in 2014; she placed Runner-Up in the Poetry Out Loud competition in Springfield in 2020, where she performed Invictus, Triumph Like a Girl, and Siblings; she was preparing for the fall's theater production at the time of her death; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was a member of the Country Cousins 4-H Club and other spin clubs; she was involved in public speaking through 4-H and won at the state level for many years; she also exhibited several general projects, which she won as well; she showed many different animals, including rabbits, chickens, dogs, cats, and pigs; she also competed in Master Showmanship; she enjoyed camping at the Effingham County Fair every year; she was named the 2021 National 4-H Youth in Action Pillar winner for civic engagement in 2020, and her work took the notice of fellow 4-H alum and humanitarian Dolly Parton; most recently, she showed pigs at the Duquoin State Fair and had the Reserve Grand Champion Duroc Gilt; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner served as a chapter officer for the Teutopolis FFA chapter, where her roles included reporter and secretary; she volunteered at the Piglets on Parade exhibit during the Illinois State Fair, educating the public about the swine industry; she was also an officer for Section 20 for 2 years, where she served as sentinel and secretary; she won the Section 20 Creed Speak Contest; she was the state winner for her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in Service Learning in 2020; she received her State FFA Degree in 2021, a distinction that only the top 3% of Illinois FFA members receive; she was working towards her American Degree, a distinction that only the top 1% of American FFA members receive; she wrote many grants to initiate the hydroponic program at Teutopolis High School (THS) and worked to secure funding for revamping the courtyards at THS; she was also working towards securing funding to build a greenhouse; her efforts elevated the FFA program for students and the community; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner began advocating for those battling childhood cancer in 2017; she was a national spokesperson at several American Cancer Society (ACS) events and was responsible for bringing the ACS's Gold Together initiative to Illinois; she spoke, danced, and hosted at Curefest in Washington, D.C. many times and pleaded with Congressional leaders to increase funding for childhood cancer research and ultimately better treatments; she participated in several childhood cancer caucuses and Climb the Hill events on Capitol Hill; she was part of a groundbreaking meeting at the University of Maryland, where the FDA, medical professionals, parents, and children met to discuss chemotherapy induced hearing loss; she worked on numerous projects with Kids v. Cancer and the American Childhood Cancer Organization; in the last few years, she filmed the award-winning The Promise: A Docuseries on Childhood Cancer and the mini-documentary Switching the Summit, and she had started working on a third film project in August; as an individual, she raised nearly $70,000 for various cancer organizations; through various groups, she raised millions for research and family support programs; and

WHEREAS, Despite her hardships, Elizabeth Weidner embodied what it meant to lead with a servant's heart; she earned the distinction of the Governor's Volunteer Service Award and the national Prudential Community Spirit Award in 2019; she also highly encouraged organ and blood product donation and never shied away from giving food to the homeless; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was a kind, caring, loving, passionate, and graceful young woman who inspired many all over the world; she loved spending time with her brothers; she redefined what it meant to live with cancer and leaves behind a legacy that will live forever; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner was preceded in death by a sibling angel; her aunt, Kimberly L. McCabe; her cousins, Derek and Nathan Weidner; and her great-grandparents, Albert and Arvella (Alexander) McCabe, Marion and Sophia (Schwab) Gasparovich, Raymond and Bernadine (Ochs) Kuenstler, and Royal and Emma (Buerster) Weidner; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Weidner is survived by her parents; her brothers, Ethan (Madilyn Brummer), Eric, and Evan; her grandparents, Richard and Margaret (Kuenstler) Weidner; her many, many animals; and her many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, pageant sisters, and supporters from afar; 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 Ann Weidner 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 Elizabeth Weidner as an expression of our deepest sympathy.