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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate were deeply 
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saddened to learn of the death of former State Senator Aldo A. 
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DeAngelis on February 13, 2004; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Aldo A. DeAngelis was born March 25, 1931, in Ford 
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Heights, and was raised in Chicago Heights by his Italian 
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immigrant parents, making Senator DeAngelis a first generation 
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American; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He graduated from Bloom Township High School in 
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Chicago Heights and from Knox College in Galesburg and 
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continued his studies at Governors State University and the 
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University of Chicago; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He began serving the people as a soldier in the 
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United States Army stationed in Germany; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis worked in the Chicago steel 
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mills and worked his way up to President of the Vulcan Tube and 
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Metals company in Chicago Heights; and
 
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    WHEREAS, in 1978 Senator DeAngelis ran for the State Senate 
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to help ease economic burdens placed on small business owners, 
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especially soaring workers' compensation insurance rates; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis served in the Illinois Senate 
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from 1979 to 1997 and was the first Republican freshman to be 
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appointed to the position of Assistant Senate Minority Leader, 
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and was recognized as Best Freshman Senator in the 81st General 
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Assembly; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis later rose to the position of 
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Assistant Senate Majority Leader; and
 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, He was a staunch advocate for his south suburban 
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district which continued long after leaving the Senate.  He 
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always put the interests of his constituents before those of 
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his own and Senator DeAngelis was renowned for his ability to 
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bring State funds to his district, including crucial funding 
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for Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts, 
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and was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Columbus 
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Quincentenary Committee; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis was an outstanding debater in 
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the Senate and he was respected by staff and legislators alike 
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for his honesty, humor, wit and kindness; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He was the father of the Third Airport in Peotone 
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as well as a strong advocate for changing the way Illinois 
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funds its public schools; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Senator DeAngelis was a lifelong resident of the 
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south suburbs who never lost touch with his roots; he was proud 
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of his Italian heritage and was a leader in the 
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Italian-American community; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He lived life to the fullest and his door was 
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always open to members, staff and friends to enjoy a 
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home-cooked Italian meal in Springfield; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The passing of Aldo A. DeAngelis will be deeply 
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felt by many especially his wife Meredith his sons Anthony, 
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Christopher, and Douglas, his daughter Lisa, and his 
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grandchildren; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the loss of 
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Senator Aldo DeAngelis and his service to the State of 
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Illinois, while at the same time celebrating his legacy of warm 
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and enthusiastic service to our State; and be it further

 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the wife, children and grandchildren of our 
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friend, Aldo A. DeAngelis, with our sincere sympathies and our 
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abiding respect, admiration, and love for their husband, 
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father, and grandfather.