HR1341 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1341 LRB098 23206 GRL 62410 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On July 27, 2014, the State of Illinois lost one of its most extraordinary residents when Brooke Whitted passed away; and

WHEREAS, Brooke Whitted touched the lives of many over his 67 years, but none as significantly as the children who needed special education services and their families; and

WHEREAS, From the start of his professional career as a Cook County Juvenile Probation Officer in 1969 through his service as board chairman of the organization that operates the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School and the Hyde Park Day School to his work with the Illinois School Bullying Prevention Task Force, Brooke Whitted demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that each child was afforded every available program and service that was necessary to help them live their lives to the fullest; and

WHEREAS, Brooke's commitment to the young was further evidenced when he co-founded the Harold and Rosemarie Marx Memorial Fund which both honored the memory of a probation officer colleague and raised funds to allow officers to take children to cultural and entertainment events; and

WHEREAS, Brooke's boundless energy led him to teach psychiatry and the law at the Rush University Medical College and the University of Illinois College of Medicine for many years; and

WHEREAS, Brooke's dedication to children and families included his service on the Illinois Community and Residential Services Authority, a unique and effective State agency helping Illinois children with complex emotional challenges locate the services they need; and

WHEREAS, Brooke Whitted leaves Illinois with a legacy of important and lasting achievements that should be a model for all who advocate for children here in the State and across the nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Brooke Whitted and express our sympathies to his wife, Linda, his daughter, Layne, his son, Ross, and the numerous members of his extended family, whom he also loved and supported; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare that Illinois is a much better place due to the energy, integrity, intellect, and caring of Brooke Whitted; and be it further

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