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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
John E. "J.R." Rohwer Jr. of Sterling, 
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who passed away on April 29, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was born on August 11, 1949 in 
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Clinton, Iowa; he was the son of John E. and Joan (Arians) 
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Rohwer Sr.; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. graduated from Sterling High 
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School and Sauk Valley Community College; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. had a long and distinguished 
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career in radio broadcasting; he began his 42-year career in 
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radio at WJVM in Sterling, which was owned by his father; he 
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became the morning radio host in 1986, when the station was 
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sold to WSDR in Sterling; and
 
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    WHEREAS, As the longtime morning personality at WSDR Radio 
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in Sterling, John E. Rohwer Jr. was well known as a provider of 
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local and national news mixed with a good dose of humor; during 
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his illustrious career, he earned an incredible reputation as a 
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passionate reporter who affected a number of organizations, 
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political candidates, and community issues; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was a classically trained 
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pianist; he began playing at an early age, yet never chose to 
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pursue a professional music career; his love of the arts also 
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extended to working behind the scenes doing lighting and audio 
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work for Sauk Valley Community College's theater department; 
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and
 
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    WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was known in local circles as a 
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great debater; a regular at the former Pro Shop in Sterling, he 
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often met with area reporters and had fierce debates on many 
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topics, including philosophy, music, and the media; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. was preceded in death by his 
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grandparents; and
 
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    WHEREAS, John E. Rohwer Jr. is survived by his sons, Jim 
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Rohwer and Matt Rohwer; his parents; his sister, Jo Ann 
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(Richard) Smith; and his nephews, Brian Smith and Michael 
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Smith; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of John E. "J.R." Rohwer 
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Jr.; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 


 






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presented to the family of John E. Rohwer Jr. as an expression 
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of our sympathy.