SR0912 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0912 LRB094 22050 KXB 60620 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois State Senate are pleased to honor a fellow Senator who has made the decision to retire from his work in the Illinois State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid, a resident of Peoria, Illinois was born on May 15, 1929 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Adiba and Phillip Shadid, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon ten years prior; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid, decided to dedicate his life to public service in 1953 and was sworn in as a police officer in the Peoria City Police Department at the age of 24; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid, with a strong dedication to his family became an advocate for children in need and by 1962 found himself President of the American-Syria Lebanon Society, helping raise funds for the Peoria Association of Retarded Children and the South Side Mission; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid's dedication was evident as he worked to build a connection and positive relationship between the police force and the community during his time as President of the Police Benevolent Association; he was rewarded for his efforts in 1968 when he was promoted as the head of the Police Department's Juvenile Bureau, where he played an instrumental role in making sure children at the Guardian Angel Orphanage had presents at Christmas and the School Boys Patrol was outfitted with belts, crossing flags, and raincoats; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid, at the age of 41, was named the Director of the Police Community Relations Unit by Chief Allen Andrews, and in 1976 he was appointed to a two-year term as Peoria County Sheriff, continuing to prove himself a man of leadership and integrity, and he was re-elected for four consecutive terms; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid was humbly appointed on May 13, 1993 to fill the vacancy of State Senator in the 46th District, and after years of working to uphold the laws and ideals of the community, he became a leader in working to shape them; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid and his wife, Lorraine, have two children, James and George Jr., who lost his battle with cancer in February of 2005, and is grandfather to two grandsons and two granddaughters; and

WHEREAS, Senator George P. Shadid has ably served the people of 46th Senate District for thirteen years after devoting his life to the Peoria Police Department for 40 years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate State Senator George P. Shadid on his retirement after 53 years of public service, that we wish him continued success in the future, good health, and the best that life has to offer; and we thank him for being a great colleague, friend, and Senator that people could depend on to do the work of the people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Illinois State Senator George P. Shadid, along with our sincere regards.