HR0627 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0627 LRB095 12817 KXB 38250 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former State Representative John "Jay" C. Ackerman of Morton, who passed away on July 23, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1979 to 1983 and from 1987 to 1999; during his time in the Capitol he worked with the Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and helped to establish a State fish and wildlife area in Cass County; he helped bring reform to the Chicago school system, aided in welfare reform, supported the State's truth-in-sentencing law, voted for measures to help senior citizens, promoted agriculture and the preservation of the family farm; and chaired the House Public Utilities Committee; and

WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was one of the few active farmers to serve in the General Assembly during his tenure; he was a strong supporter of the Second Amendment; he was known as someone who cared more about his constituents and representing the people of his district than being a politician; he was well-liked by all his colleagues and enjoyed socializing; he enjoyed singing "Crazy" and other songs by his favorite artist, Patsy Cline; and

WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was an avid hunter and fisherman; he, his son, and his sons-in-law were the Winning Boat and Anglers at the July 19, 2007 Department of Natural Resources sponsored Sam Romano Lake Michigan Fishing Tournament in Winthrop Harbor; and

WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was an accomplished softball player, known for playing in fast-pitch leagues across central Illinois for 40 years; he began by pitching against the barn door during his 4-H league days; he held the record for striking out 18 of 21 batters in 7 innings; he matched Eddie Feigner, the King and his Court, in a 4-to-4 tie game, with local media reporting that his pitches were jumping more than the King's; and

WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman started in politics due to his dissatisfaction with the limited opportunities young people had to play softball in his hometown; he ran for a seat on the Morton Park District Board and served from 1967 to 1975; he was influential in building the first ball diamonds at Lions Field in Morton; he later served on the Tazewell County board from 1972 to 1978; and

WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was a United States Army veteran, serving two years as a medical technician; he was born on and farmed the Ackerman Centennial Farm in Morton; he attended Crandall School, a one-room school house located on the farm; he graduated from Morton High School where he lettered in football and track; and he attended agriculture classes at the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Jay Ackerman was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother; his passing will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Joann; his son, Doug (Christine); his daughters, Jody (Mark) Bugaieski, Amy (John) Lacy, and Wendy (Mike) Fox; his sister, Sally Walker; his grandchildren, Rick and Jed Lacy, Kiley and Brock Bugaieski, and Morgan and Hallie Fox; his six nephews; and his many friends, colleagues, former constituents and neighbors; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of former State Representative John C. "Jay" Ackerman; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of former State Representative John C. "Jay" Ackerman as a symbol of our sympathy.