SR0393 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0393 LRB097 14268 GRL 59022 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Michael Boushay of Harvey, Louisiana, formerly of Oak Park, who passed away on September 21, 2011; and

WHEREAS, James Boushay was born in Jersey City, New Jersey; his parents were Joseph and Mildred (Manato) Boushay; he spent most of his life after high school in the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, James Boushay graduated with honors from DePaul University in 1970; he then pursued a master's degree at Northwestern University; and

WHEREAS, James Boushay taught high school English at Lake Forest Academy for two years and at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora for six years; and

WHEREAS, Over the next 13 years, James Boushay served as official spokesperson and development director for several organizations, including the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas, Provident Hospital in Chicago, and the Chicago Historical Society; around 1993, he established Resources Unlimited Foundation and began his life's work, focusing on "grassroots education of thought and action in community service and volunteerism"; being a prolific writer, Mr. Boushay and his partner were involved in extensive consultation on improving civic, social, educational, and religious engagements in service to others; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, James Boushay and his partner moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to continue their work in that community and to study the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of extreme tragedy and loss; he passed away before being able to complete his book, which chronicles the many experiences he and his partner had as they traveled across the country in their "Motor Home of Miracles"; Mr. Boushay was also very proud of his role in the creation of the Oak Park Festival of Potluck Foods in 1995; the annual event attracts hundreds of Oak Park residents for the sharing of food, fun, and music; he and his partner, along with a cast of supporters, repeated the annual "party" for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, James Boushay was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Michelle; and his brothers, Joseph and John; and

WHEREAS, James Boushay is survived by his daughters, Therese (Tracy) and Rachel (Paratore), and their mother, Catherine (Cathy); his siblings, Maryanne DeStefano, Maureen Rossilli, and Jerome (Jerry), and their spouses; and his partner, Rickey Sain, Sr.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of James Boushay; and be it further

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