HR0041 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0041 LRB098 08518 GRL 38629 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Vasco Lee Bridges Jr., who passed away on December 29, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Vasco Bridges Jr. was born on August 31, 1949, in Simpson County, Mississippi; his parents were Virgia Bridges Palmer and Vasco Lee Bridges Sr.; he spent his childhood between Simpson County, Mississippi and North Chicago; for the last 20 years, he lived in Madison, Mississippi with his loving wife of 32 years, Dr. Jo Lynn Polk Bridges; and

WHEREAS, Vasco Bridges Jr. graduated from North Chicago High School in 1967; he later went on to star as a track athlete at Bradley University; on February 14, 1976, he was inducted into the Bradley University Athletic Hall of Fame for his exploits in the 110-meter hurdles; while at Bradley, he was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Bradley in 1972, Vasco Bridges Jr. held various jobs before starting a 15-year career at United Airlines; he served in several managerial positions in Denver, Colorado and Chicago; he also embarked on several business ideas with his friends and family before launching JANO Justice Systems in 1989; he dedicated himself to this enterprise from 1992 until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Vasco Bridges Jr. great passion was flying; he worked for many years on getting his pilot's license before finally becoming an instrument rated pilot in 2008; he flew anytime he could, both for work and pleasure, and was planning to buy his own airplane at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, Vasco Bridges Jr. is survived by his wife, Jo Lynn; his sons, Vasco Lee Bridges, III and Dr. Jason Peary Bridges; his sisters, Dr. Lela Annette Bridges-Webb and Cynthia Hardin; his brothers, Dr. Charlie Bridges and Stennis Bridges; and his many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Vasco Lee Bridges Jr.; and be it further

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