SR0706 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0706 LRB098 15035 MST 50011 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Janie Morrison of River Grove, who passed away on November 9, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Janie Morrison was born on August 5, 1949 in Peoria; her parents were Earl and Ruth Morrison; and

WHEREAS, Janie Morrison graduated from Central College in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communication Arts; she went on to receive a Master of Education in Speech Pathology from Trenton State College in New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Janie Morrison enjoyed a long and distinguished career in public service and was known as a fierce, relentless, and passionate advocate for justice; after working for the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, she began her career at the Temple Association of University Professionals in Pennsylvania, where she served as Executive Director from 1992 to 2001; in January of 2002, she returned to the Chicagoland area to work as an assistant to Norman Swenson, President of the Cook County College Teachers Union; and

WHEREAS, While working at the Cook County College Teachers Union, Janie Morrison met Illinois State Senator Dan Kotowski during his senatorial campaign in 2006; following his victory, Senator Kotowski asked her to become his District Director, where she served with pride and integrity until her passing; and

WHEREAS, As District Director, Janie Morrison was a successful champion for constituents and veterans facing employment, healthcare, and housing challenges; she became well known by the people of her community for her great compassion and eagerness to help those most in need; during her career, she spearheaded the organization and execution of 6 community job fairs and the creation of the Flight 191 Memorial in Des Plaines; she also aided in the educational and professional growth of over 30 interns during her time as District Director; and

WHEREAS, Janie Morrison's lifelong passion was sailing; she raced boats as a child and, as an adult, owned a sailboat and regularly floated home on the Delaware River in Pennsylvania; she also enjoyed Disney films and memorabilia; and

WHEREAS, Janie Morrison is survived by her mother, Ruth, and her longtime companion, Sigurd Larsen; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Janie Morrison; and be it further

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