HR0612 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0612 LRB093 15105 KEF 40697 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Joel M. Tomas of Palos Hills on December 13, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tomas was the longest serving alderman in Palos Hills history; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tomas was born in Chicago and raised on the South Side; he attended Gage Park High School, Wilson Junior College, and graduated from Roosevelt University with a degree in science; he later returned to Roosevelt to get a master's in guidance counseling; and

WHEREAS, He began his teaching career at Reavis High School in Burbank in 1967; for 32 years he taught human biology and physical science; he created an environmental science course, sponsored the senior class and the science club, started a recycling program, and became a guidance counselor; and

WHEREAS, After Mr. Tomas retired as a teacher, he became a career coordinator at Reavis and developed a program for at-risk students to explore career options; and

WHEREAS, For 12 years, starting in the late 1960s, he also worked as a laboratory technician at St. Elizabeth Hospital on the Northwest Side; he also taught a judo class and was a high school wrestling referee for 14 years; and

WHEREAS, As an alderman, Mr. Tomas represented Palos Hills' 4th Ward and chaired the Public Works Committee, where he helped develop a comprehensive drainage program to solve flooding problems and started a recycling program; he also chaired the Palos Hills Emergency Services Disaster Agency; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Joel M. Tomas will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife of 35 years, Leona; his two daughters, Lara and Lee Ann; his son, Joel; and his sister, Heleane Battaglia; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joel M. Tomas along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joel M. Tomas as an expression of deepest sympathy.