SR0597 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0597 LRB104 17229 ECR 30650 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Gov. Hunt dedicated more than 50 years to public service, including serving as the Governor of North Carolina for four terms; as governor, he transformed education in North Carolina and across the country, and he became known as the country's first education governor; during his tenure, he developed the Smart Start program, created the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, advocated for higher teacher pay, established statewide kindergarten, and supported technology in every school and policy grounded in research; and

WHEREAS, After leaving office in 2001, Gov. Hunt founded The Hunt Institute, a nonprofit organization to increase access to the best educational research and national resource experts and to provide a space across party lines to work on strengthening education policy; and

WHEREAS, Gov. Hunt was noted for his ability to make those around him feel like the hard work they were doing actually mattered, and he will be remembered for his dedication to education, teachers, and students; and

WHEREAS, Gov. Hunt was the husband of Carolyn Hunt; the father of four children, Rachel, Baxter, Elizabeth, and Rebecca; and the grandfather and great-grandfather of many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt Jr. 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 Gov. Hunt as an expression of our deepest sympathy.