SR0701

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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
Joseph L. Graham, who passed away on 
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April 29, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham was born on November 28, 1935 in 
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Chicago; his hometown was Hickory Hills; his parents were 
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Joseph and Margaret Graham; he married Theresa Graham (nee 
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Pecord) in August of 1959 in Chicago; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham was educated in the Carmelite 
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Seminary in Niagara Falls, New York; he earned his bachelor's 
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degree in history from DePaul University in 1959; and

 
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    WHEREAS, After serving a year in the classroom at St. Rita 
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Catholic High School, Joseph L. Graham served as a teacher and 
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administrator with Oak Lawn Community High School for almost 30 
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years; by his own estimation, he had more than 7,000 students 
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in his classrooms before retiring in 1991 as chairman of Oak 
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Lawn's social studies department; and

 
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    WHEREAS, After leaving the school, Joseph L. Graham 
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distinguished himself by organizing events for retirees, such 
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as ex-teacher breakfasts every few weeks and bleacher seating 
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for former teachers at school sporting events; and

 
 


 






SR0701
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LRB095 21394 GRL 50699 r




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    WHEREAS, After a period of intense study, Joseph L. Graham 
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knew enough about pediments, bay windows, terra cotta, and 
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austere skyscrapers to turn Chicago architecture into a hobby; 
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for a time during his retirement, he led downtown architectural 
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walking tours that proved popular with Chicago tourists; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham served as a Eucharistic minister 
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and lector at St. Patrick Church; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Joseph L. Graham was the beloved husband of Terry, 
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nee Pecord; the loving father of Mike (Christine), Mary Beth 
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(Doug) Gaffney, and the late Eileen; the cherished grandfather 
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of Brittany, Erin, Ryan, Matthew, and Adam; and the dear uncle, 
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cousin, and friend to many loving people; 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 mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of Joseph L. Graham; and be 
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it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Joseph L. Graham as an expression of 
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our sympathy.