SR0077 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0077 LRB096 10746 GRL 20934 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Taylor Nicole Pinkas Rogers of Edwardsville, who passed away on January 24, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Taylor was born on February 6, 1999; she was the daughter of Jodi Pinkas and resided with her great aunt, Debbie Dycus, who was her loving caregiver and guardian for the past nine years; and

WHEREAS, Taylor was born healthy and was developing typically, but was the victim of Shaken Baby Abuse/Abusive Head Trauma at the age of 10 weeks; although she was not expected to live, she survived, defying all odds; she was confined to a wheelchair and was unable to move her body or speak, but her smiles and laughs spoke volumes and she accomplished many great things; and

WHEREAS, Taylor was known to many in her area, across the State of Illinois, the United States, and internationally as an icon in the efforts to educate about and end Shaken Baby Abuse/Abusive Head Trauma; in her short life, she attended four national shaken baby conferences, with two of them in Canada; with the help of her Aunt Debbie, she educated many students in local school districts, daycare providers, and professionals on the dangers of shaking a baby and how to cope with a crying baby; she also testified before the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate in Springfield and, without saying a word, helped bring about change and awareness with the help of State Senator William Haine and his legislative assistant, Cheri Frizzo; and

WHEREAS, Taylor was a third grade student at Albert Cassens Elementary in Glen Carbon and was previously a student at Leclaire Elementary in Edwardsville, Hamel Elementary, and Midway Elementary; she loved going to school to be with her peers, dedicated teachers and staff, therapists, and everyone she encountered at school; she also enjoyed riding the bumpy bus to school when she was well enough; and

WHEREAS, Taylor enjoyed listening to her music, having Kirsten Dycus play with/for her, and going to the beach in Florida to listen to the waves crashing on the shore; and

WHEREAS, Taylor was preceded in death by her great grandfathers, Frank L. Pinkas and James R. Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Taylor is survived by her mother; her great aunt; Kenneth (Lindsay) Dycus, Matt Dycus (Natalie Isaak), and Kirsten Dycus; her half-sisters, Jaidyn and Jazdyn Miles; her grandparents, Scott Pinkas and Debbie Reed; her uncle, Kevin Pinkas; her great-grandmothers, Bernice Pinkas and Alta Berniece Thomas; her aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and her amazing, loving, and dedicated pediatrician, Dr. Jamil Rana; and

WHEREAS, Taylor will be remembered by all who knew and loved her as a wonderful little girl with a beautiful smile, whose determination, courage, strength, and purpose inspired everyone she met; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Taylor Nicole Pinkas Rogers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Taylor Nicole Pinkas Rogers as an expression of our sympathy.