SR0695 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0695 LRB094 20031 HSS 57661 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Adeline Geo-Karis was born on March 29, 1918, in Tegeas, Greece, to become known as a proud American, political pioneer, and beloved public steward; and

WHEREAS, State Senator Adeline Geo-Karis has worked hard throughout her lengthy career to advance the public good and safeguard freedom, serving as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves, Assistant State's Attorney, Justice of the Peace, Mayor of Zion, State Representative, and State Senator; and

WHEREAS, Adeline Geo-Karis has tirelessly served her constituents and the people of Illinois for 33 years, working in a bipartisan manner to enact legislation for strong crime control and to benefit veterans, senior citizens, children, people with disabilities, and the working majority; and

WHEREAS, Senator Geo-Karis was the first woman ever appointed Assistant State's Attorney in Lake County, and went on to become the first Lake County woman elected to the State Senate and House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, She was the first woman in Illinois history to serve in Senate Leadership, serving for ten years as Assistant Senate Majority Leader; and

WHEREAS, As a strong advocate for veterans, Senator Geo-Karis serves as Chairperson of the Senate Republican Task Force on Veterans, where she has continually worked to protect our men and women in the Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, As Co-Chair of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, she is currently one of two Republican Senators to serve as co-chairman of a committee; and

WHEREAS, Senator Geo-Karis pioneered legislation on gasohol, solar energy, and other alternative energy resources, and is cited for her sponsorship of the Nuclear Safety Preparedness Act, the Alternative Energy Act, and many other laws to increase safety on Illinois lakes; and

WHEREAS, She successfully sponsored and supported important crime control legislation, and is a proud sponsor of the "Guilty but Mentally Ill" law; and

WHEREAS, She is active in many civic projects and is a member of several civic organizations, including the American Legion and AmVets; and

WHEREAS, Senator Geo-Karis heads her own law firm in Zion, Illinois, is a former municipal attorney for Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Libertyville Township, and Long Grove School District, and was elected Justice of the Peace in Lake County, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, During her 33 years of service, Adeline Geo-Karis has been consistently recognized for her commitment and support of Illinois' business community, senior citizens, and agriculture; and

WHEREAS, Her commitment to aiding and advancing the needs of Illinois veterans and Armed Forces has displayed the highest form of compassion, patriotism, and human decency; and

WHEREAS, While she values her American citizenship, Adeline Geo-Karis has continued to celebrate her Greek heritage and has remained committed to the Greek community throughout her tenure as a public official; and

WHEREAS, She has been affectionately dubbed "Geo" by her friends and colleagues and is a beloved political icon known throughout Illinois for her hard work, wit, and gracious demeanor; and

WHEREAS, Geo has been and will continue to be an inspiration to women and men everywhere, for her many achievements, accomplishments, and service to the people of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, March 29, 2006, will be the 88th anniversary of Adeline Geo-Karis' birth; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim and recognize March 29, 2006, as "Adeline Geo-Karis Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Senator Geo-Karis as an expression of our admiration and esteem.