093_SR0282
LRB093 13156 BDD 18419 r
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of
3 Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of former
4 Representative John J. Houlihan of Palos Heights, who died
5 on July 24, 2003 at the age of 80; and
6 WHEREAS, Through his leadership and dedication, Mr.
7 Houlihan personified the nobility of public service; and
8 WHEREAS, John J. Houlihan served his county with dignity
9 and distinction during World War II; as a recent high
10 school graduate, Mr. Houlihan enlisted in the United States
11 Marine Corps in 1942, after the Japanese attack on Pearl
12 Harbor; Mr. Houlihan went into combat in the Pacific Theater
13 and fought in such engagements as the Battle of Midway and
14 the Invasion of Bouganville; during his military service, Mr.
15 Houlihan was wounded in action by artillery fire, which
16 resulted in the amputation of his leg; because of his
17 heroism and sacrifice, Mr. Houlihan was awarded the Purple
18 Heart, Marine Corps Medal, and the Asian Pacific Medal with 3
19 Bronze Stars; and
20 WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Mr.
21 Houlihan earned his bachelor's degree in business and
22 accounting from DePaul University and began working in the
23 Cook County Clerk's Office; and
24 WHEREAS, In 1965, Mr. Houlihan was elected to the
25 Illinois House of Representatives, where he represented the
26 41st District for 8 years; and
27 WHEREAS, Mr. Houlihan was an ardent advocate for his
28 fellow veterans; he was appointed by Governor Dan Walker to
29 serve as the first Director of Veterans' Affairs, for the
30 Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, he was instrumental
31 in developing programs for the U.S. Department of Veterans
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1 Affairs, and, up until his final illness, he was the
2 supervisor of the Cook County Veterans Assistance Commission;
3 and
4 WHEREAS, Mr. Houlihan's death is a grievous loss to all
5 who knew and loved him, particularly his wife, Vernal, his
6 daughters, Maureen and Patricia, his sons, Michael, William,
7 Terence, Denis, and Brendan, and his nine grandchildren; and
8 WHEREAS, Honor and duty were his hallmarks, and his every
9 endeavor was characterized by a commitment to serve his
10 country, his State, and his fellow man; therefore, be it
11 RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
12 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our
13 profound sorrow at the death of John J. Houlihan, that we
14 join with his fellow citizens in mourning the loss of this
15 exemplary public citizen, and that to his bereaved family, we
16 extend out heartfelt sympathy; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18 presented to the family of John J. Houlihan along with our
19 sincerest condolences.