SR1141 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1141 LRB096 24710 GRL 44702 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joe M. Johnson, who passed away on December 24, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Joe Johnson was born in Louisville, Kentucky; he was the son of Martin and Lucille Johnson; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Truman State University in northeast Missouri, Joe Johnson spent 4 years coaching and teaching high school in the Ozarks before moving to Palatine; and

WHEREAS, Joe Johnson established a successful track program over the course of 30 years at Palatine High School, where, under his leadership, numerous students became individual State champions and 12 teams advanced to the Illinois High School Association State meets; his 1981 cross country team finished 2nd in the state; he was inducted into the Palatine High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches' Hall of Fame in honor of his many accomplishments in track and field; in 1992, Joe retired from his career and moved to Tucson, Arizona with his loving wife, Andrea Meskan Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Joe Johnson was a dedicated and decorated runner; he completed the Boston Marathon and earned countless medals to memorialize his personal victories around the country; and

WHEREAS, Joe Johnson was preceded in death by his wife; and

WHEREAS, Joe Johnson is survived by his daughter, Jenny Cope Warden (Eric) and their 3 children; his 3 cousins in the Midwest and their families; his brothers-in-law, Bill and Jeff Meskan; his companion, Patricia Grizzard; and his many friends and countless former athletes and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Joe M. Johnson; and be it further

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