SR0498 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0498 LRB093 21866 HSS 49849 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of their former colleague, Anthony Scariano of Olympia Fields, on Saturday, April 17, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Scariano was born in Chicago to Sicilian immigrants; his parents instilled in him a sense of patriotism and duty to the United States, along with an ache for the traditions of his family's native land; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Scariano served in the Army's Office of Strategic Services during World War II and then enrolled at George Washington University, graduating in 1942; he graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1948; he worked as an assistant U.S. attorney until 1954, when he entered private practice; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Scariano was passionate about justice; he fought for poor people, for minorities, and for the powerless; he fought for public education while serving in the House of Representatives from 1956 to 1972 as State Representative of the first legislative district; he was one of the sponsors of the first Open Meetings Act; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Scariano was appointed chairman of the Illinois Racing Board in 1972, then to the Illinois Appellate Court in 1984, where he remained until his retirement in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Scariano was a student of policy who enjoyed opera and read extensively; in recent years, he enjoyed five-mile walks through forest preserves where he listened to self-recordings of Italian poetry and read Italian literature; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Anthony Scariano has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife of 61 years, Leah C. (nee Vaira); his sons Anthony Jr. and John; his brothers, John (Martha) and Joseph; his sister, Marie (Frank) Makowski; his grandchildren, Anthony III and Leigh Christine; and his many nieces, nephews, and dear friends; he was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Phyllis Scariano; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Anthony Scariano, a man who fought for justice for the downtrodden, and who will be remembered for his humor and good nature; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Anthony Scariano as an expression of our sincere condolences during their time of bereavement.