SR1760 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1760 LRB099 21411 MST 47690 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Evelyn M. Bowles of Edwardsville, who passed away on April 8, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Bowles was born in Worden on April 22, 1921 to Ira and Anna (Augustine) Bowles; she served in the United States Coast Guard-SPARS (Women's Reserve) as a Yeoman from 1943 to 1945 in the Intelligence Division; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Bowles worked as an elementary school teacher in Livingston in 1951; she joined the Madison County Clerk's Office in 1957 after accepting a summer job; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Bowles served as Madison County Clerk from 1972 to 1994; she swore in the first female Assistant State's Attorney in Madison County, Stephanie Robbins, in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Bowles served as an Illinois State Senator from 1994 to 2002; she quickly became known as an active and colorful member of the Senate, and a bit of a renegade; she was on the Senate Agricultural and Conservation Committee; and

WHEREAS, As a State Senator, Evelyn Bowles' greatest pride came in sponsoring legislation that made Illinois the first state to regulate the reuse of surgical devices designed for one-time only use; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Bowles retired in 2002; under State law, she could have kept her leftover campaign funds, but instead chose to establish a scholarship for future public servants at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Bowles held many memberships, including St. Mary Catholic Church in Edwardsville, where she served as the first Chairman of the Parish Council; she also belonged to the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; Business Professional Women; Daughters of Isabella; Association of American Retired People; American Legion Post 199; Madison County Historical Museum and Archival Library; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association; and Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Bowles was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ira Bowles Jr.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Evelyn M. Bowles, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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