HR0550 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0550 LRB103 37049 LAW 67165 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Edward M. "Ed" Smith, who passed away on January 3, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith was born to Connell F. Smith and Mary Jewel Smith in Cairo on September 9, 1954; he received his Associate of Arts from Shawnee College in 1974; he earned his bachelor's degree from the National Labor College; he later graduated from the Harvard University Trade Union Program; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith was a champion of the American Labor Movement, from his earliest days at the Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) through his tenure as chairman and CEO of Ullico Inc., a labor-owned financial services firm, leaving every place he worked better than he found it; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith joined LiUNA at age 13 in 1968, working as a laborer before being elected as business manager of Laborers' Local Union 773 at age 21 in 1976; focusing his efforts on using innovative strategies to protect labor rights, he led 40 organizing drives with groups across Southern Illinois during the 1970s and 80s, which boosted Local 773's membership from 300 to 4,000; he was named business manager of Southern Illinois Laborers' District Council in 1985, later becoming chairman of the Central Laborers' Pension Fund; he was appointed regional manager of the Midwest Region in 1994, serving over 58,000 members; he was elected as vice president and regional manager of LiUNA, and he also served as assistant to the general president; during his tenure, he helped forge the National Alliance for Fair Contracting, pioneered regional Tri-Funds programs for contractor cooperation and worker protection, and greatly expanded LiUNA's political influence throughout the Midwest Region, lobbying at statehouses and urging members to run for local office; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith joined Ullico in 2007, assembling an experienced management team and working hard to redouble the company's commitment to the labor movement while serving as executive vice president from January 2007 until May 2008; he then served as president from May 2008 until he was named CEO of Ullico in January 2011; under his leadership, Ullico enhanced its insurance program for union leaders and benefit plan trustees, grew its union-supporting commercial real estate financing fund, and generously gave back to the community, donating millions of dollars each year to philanthropic causes; internally, he was insistent that the company take care of its employees, building a culture that put people first; through his bold leadership and visionary business mind, he was integral in moving Ullico forward; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith served on the Democratic National Committee and was a delegate to many national conventions; he formerly served as chairman of the Illinois State Board of Investment, as chairman of the National Alliance for Fair Contracting, and as a member of the Illinois Department of Labor Advisory Board; he was a board member of the National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans (NCCMP), the Laborers' Charitable Foundation, The Laborers' CARE (TLC), and America's Agenda: Healthcare for All, and he served as a trustee for the AFL-CIO Staff Retirement Plan; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith was a key benefactor to the Therapy Center in Carterville, the Shawnee College Foundation in Ullin, and the Connell F. Smith Homer Brown Scholarship Fund in Marion; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith never knew a stranger, making friends wherever he went and always treating others with dignity, and he was known for his generous spirit, moral conviction, fierce loyalty, and infectious optimism; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith was the husband of Betty, his closest advisor, the father of Jordan and Matt, a grandfather, and a friend; and

WHEREAS, Ed Smith will be remembered for the profound impact he made on the labor movement, Ullico and its employees, and those around him; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Edward M. "Ed" Smith and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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