HR0995 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0995 LRB095 18951 GRL 45535 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of F.T. "Mike" Graham of Libertyville, who passed away on December 29, 2007; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham was born on September 10, 1927 in Gurnee; his parents were Thomas and Anna Graham; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham graduated from Warren Township High School in Gurnee in 1945; he attended Blackburn College in Carlinville and Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham was a salesman at Miller-Krueger Dodge in Libertyville for many years; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham served as Supervisor of Libertyville Township from 1969 until 1989 and from 1997 until 2002, where his compassion for assisting those in need was very well known in the community; he was a former member of the Lake County Board, serving for 18 years; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham was the founder of the first open space district in the Midwest, persuading Libertyville voters to borrow $22.6 million to fund the first township Open Space District in the State; he was widely known for his relentless pursuit for land preservation; his goal was to set aside and protect hundreds of acres of open space in perpetuity; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham's tireless efforts resulted in the acquisition, preservation, and development of dozens of new preserves and sites in Lake County; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville and the Cardinal Stritch Council of the Knights of Columbus; he was also an active participant at Marytown; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Thomas Graham, Edward Graham, and Walter Graham; and his sisters, Helen Victor, Elizabeth Drobnick, Mary Miller, and Peggy Deuel; and

WHEREAS, F.T. Graham is survived by his former wife and dear friend, Geri Graham (nee Yore); his children, Julie (Jerry) Adzima and Michael (Karen) Graham; his grandchildren, Stephanie Adzima, Graham Adzima, Kathleen Graham, Mary Graham, Michael Graham, Patrick Graham, John Graham, and Bridget Graham; his sister, Ann Skyrius; and his many loving nieces and nephews, who fondly referred to him as "Uncle Mick"; 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 F.T. "Mike" Graham; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of F.T. Graham as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.