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90_SR0168
SDS/90SR0007/mrp
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of this body are deeply saddened by
3 the untimely death of an esteemed colleague; and
4 WHEREAS, Senator Penny Severns, a native of Decatur, had
5 a passion for public service, beginning her involvement in
6 politics in the third grade working on behalf of John F.
7 Kennedy's 1960 campaign for the Presidency and in 1972 she
8 was the youngest person ever to serve as a presidential
9 delegate when elected to that post for the Democratic
10 National Convention; and just months later she was elected
11 the youngest member ever to the Democratic National
12 Committee; and
13 WHEREAS, After serving in the State Department in the
14 Agency for International Development in the administration of
15 President Jimmy Carter, Senator Severns campaigned for the
16 United States Congress in 1980 and later joined the
17 administration of the Office of the Comptroller ; and
18 WHEREAS, In 1983, Senator Severns was elected to the
19 Decatur City Council, where she served with distinction and
20 worked tirelessly on behalf of her city; and
21 WHEREAS, In 1986, Senator Severns was elected to the
22 Senate for the 85th General Assembly; and
23 WHEREAS, As a member of the Senate, Senator Severns
24 served as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and
25 Conservation, Vice Chair of the Committee on Appropriations
26 I, Chair of the Committee on State Government Organization
27 and Administration, Minority Spokesperson for the Committee
28 on Appropriations (when she became the first female chief
29 budget negotiator), and Minority Spokesperson for the
30 Committee on Revenue; and
31 WHEREAS, As a member of the Senate, Senator Severns was
-2- SDS/90SR0007/mrp
1 respected for her knowledge and expertise on the detailed
2 operations and budget of State government and for her
3 tenacity on issues that were important to her constituents
4 and all the people of the State of Illinois; and
5 WHEREAS, Senator Severns was devoted to her family,
6 especially her late mother, Helen, and father, Donald, Sr.
7 and his wife Audine, her sister Patty and her husband Doug,
8 her brothers Donald, Jr. and Rodney and his wife Jane, her
9 nieces and nephews Kristen, Weston and Graham Love, Jennifer,
10 Emily and Matt Severns, Nick Wilber and great nephew Kyle and
11 her late sister Marsha; and
12 WHEREAS, In 1994, Senator Severns was the standard bearer
13 of the Democratic Party for the Office of Lieutenant Governor
14 and brought her typical energy and drive to the campaign and
15 won the hearts of people throughout Illinois; and
16 WHEREAS, In the same year that she sought the Office of
17 Lieutenant Governor, Senator Severns was diagnosed with
18 breast cancer, a condition she fought with bravery and with
19 an unwavering positive attitude that truly was inspiring; and
20 WHEREAS, In 1997, Senator Severns began a campaign for
21 the Office of Secretary of State, an effort that showcased
22 her unequaled zest for political battle, her unrivaled
23 knowledge of the issues and her heroic devotion to public
24 service, and although the campaign was cut short by her
25 illness, Senator Severns left her indelible mark upon the
26 political landscape; and
27 WHEREAS, The meteoric life of Senator Severns is a legacy
28 of public service, a life dedicated to the standard of
29 helping people, ever striving to assist others in achieving
30 their goals and dreams; therefore, be it
31 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
-3- SDS/90SR0007/mrp
1 OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, That we hereby offer our sincerest
2 condolences to the family of Senator Penny Severns, her
3 constituents and many friends throughout the State of
4 Illinois, for this special woman gave new meaning to the word
5 courage and set a standard of excellence in public service
6 that will serve for generations to come; and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this preamble and
8 resolution be presented to the family of Senator Penny
9 Severns as our tribute to her wonderful life, for she will be
10 deeply missed and long remembered.