HR0986 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0986 LRB093 22176 HSS 51307 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Patrick J. Cleary on Sunday, April 25, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cleary was born on January 20, 1929, in Momence to James A. and Nellie Liston Cleary; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cleary had been the publisher/editor of the Farmers Weekly Review since 1963; his long career in journalism started at the age of 15, when he went to work at the Kankakee Daily Journal; he also worked at the Gary Post Tribune and for the Associated Press as well as many other newspapers during his journalistic career; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cleary was a former City Clerk in Kankakee and the Secretary of the Police and Fire Commissions; he served as County Clerk and Clerk of the Courts in Kankakee County; he was appointed by Governor Richard Ogilvie as Chairman of the Board of Review for the Department of Labor, a position he held from 1965 until 1973; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cleary was a member of the Board of Directors of the International Press Club of Chicago and a former 37-year member of the Old Chicago Press Club; he also held memberships with the Chicago Press Veterans Association, the National Press Club of Washington, D.C., and the Indianapolis Press Club; he was a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Joliet Elks Lodge No. 296 and a former chairman of the Board of Trustees; he was named Illinois Elk of the Year in 1995; he served as a past State public relations chairman for the Illinois Elks Association; he was a member of Kankakee Moose Lodge No. 802 and an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee, third and fourth degree member; he was also a member of the Illinois Farm Editors Association; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cleary was well-known for his affinity for words, facts, and history; he was an avid reader, especially favoring historical and biographical works; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Patrick J. Cleary has been deeply felt by many, especially his sons and daughter-in-law, James A. and Gail Cleary and Michael J. Cleary; his son-in-law, Patrick Hickey; and his 5 grandchildren, Patrick Cleary, Daniel Cleary, Nora Hickey, Conor Hickey, and Clare Hickey; he was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Hickey; his parents; his sister, Rita Jean Cleary; and his half-sister, Mary Betcher; 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 Patrick J. Cleary, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 Patrick J. Cleary as an expression of our sincere condolences.