SR1789 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1789 LRB099 21371 GRL 47244 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Craig Allan Baird, who passed away on March 26, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Craig Baird was born on April 9, 1953 in Harvard; his parents were Donald and Mary Baird; and

WHEREAS, Craig Baird grew up in a small dairy town in Illinois; his mother ran Baird's Restaurant in downtown Harvard, where he worked with his brother Dick, his sister Jean, and his aunts; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, Craig Baird moved to Arizona, where he earned his bachelor's degree in elementary education; he then became an inspirational teacher who touched many lives in both Phoenix and the Prescott area for 33 years; following his retirement in 2008, he began focusing on what he really loved: family time, writing letters and poetry, reading, playing tennis, walking the courthouse, socializing with friends, daily crossword puzzles, and gardening and traveling with his wife; and

WHEREAS, Sports were a major part of Craig Baird's life, starting with backyard baseball with his brother and continuing to high school athletics, city league ball, and leisurely play; throughout his childhood, he was exposed to Ernie and the Cubs, along with music and the arts in his many trips to Chicago with his Uncle Howard; and

WHEREAS, Craig Baird is survived by his wife, Debbie Kuhnke; his sons, Andrew (Brittany), Eamon, Dillon, and Seth Kuhnke (Ashley); his daughter, Kelcie Kuhnke; his sister, Jean Barnes (Roy); his sister-in-law, Esther; his grandchildren, Noe and Daisy; his wife from a previous marriage, Katie; and his mother-in-law, Phyllis Reddel; therefore, be it

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

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