SR0854 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0854 LRB096 22451 KXB 41689 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Retired Lieutenant Colonel Harold E. Briggs Sr., U.S.M.C., of Granite City, who passed away on April 3, 2010; and

WHEREAS, He was born June 22, 1926, in Granite City; after high school he joined the Merchant Marines and then attended McKendree College from 1946 until 1950, where he also played college football for four years; after graduating he worked at Granite City Steel for a short time; and

WHEREAS, Before entering the field of education as a teacher, he interrupted his teaching to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps in the Korean Conflict; he stayed in the reserves until retiring in 1972 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, after 23 years of faithful service; and

WHEREAS, He returned to the Granite City School District and worked as a principal of an elementary school and coached the freshman high school football team for 15 years; he then become the first assistant for the Madison County Superintendent of Schools for seven years and served as Superintendent for 14 years until his retirement in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Briggs had a BA Degree, a Masters in Education, and the following certificates in teaching: Specialist certificate, All Grade Supervisory, Elementary and High School Supervisory, and Administrative and Educational Specialist; he was honored for his work in education with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in 1987 from McKendree College; after retirement he volunteered at the Granite City Hospital for many years and served as a trustee for the Nameoki Township for over 12 years; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the Niedringhaus United Methodist Church and a avid bowler, once bowling a perfect 300 game for which he received an award; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Arthur and Myrtle F., nee Hughes, Briggs; and his brother, Harry A. Briggs Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Harold Briggs Sr. is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth A., nee Phillips, Briggs, whom he married on June 1, 1949, in Flora; his sons, Tim Briggs and Gene Briggs; his sisters, Isla Mae Williams and Erma Lee Rash; as well as several nieces and nephews and many extended family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Retired Lieutenant Colonel Harold E. Briggs Sr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Harold Briggs Sr. as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.