SR1317 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1317 LRB103 43164 MST 76426 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Henry "Hank" Souders of Oak Park, who passed away on September 21, 2024 at the age of 19; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders was born on June 3, 2005 and spent nearly his entire life on South Elmwood Avenue in Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders attended preschool at Barrie Park and elementary school at Irving Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders gained local fame when he was left behind at the Museum of Science and Industry on an elementary school field trip; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders did not panic after realizing he had been left behind and instead went to talk to the museum security guards, who helped him call his dad and kept him company while waiting for the buses to return; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders was a Pack 23 Cub Scout and later a Troop 2 Boy Scout, where the pinnacle of his experience was completing a 12-day, 70-mile trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders' appetite for adventure and independence was fueled by scouting, where not even adverse conditions could deter him from tackling a new challenge; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders also engaged enthusiastically in a wide range of outdoor activities, including snowboarding, mountain biking, traveling, fishing, snorkeling, and hiking; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders had many additional interests, including the games World of Tanks and Magic the Gathering, as well as anime, manga, martial arts, and later in his life, cars and motorcycles; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders had a diet as varied as his hobbies, and he found great joy in taking his friends to sample eateries throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders' staple foods were cheeseburgers from Pete's and chicken shawarma made by his friend, Yusef, at North Avenue Falafel; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders was known for his quick wit, great sense of humor, and tremendous kindness, and he used all three to help people with anything they might need, whether it be a quick laugh, some homework assistance, or a car repair; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders' passion for automobiles was ignited most by his Oak Park and River Forest High School auto shop teacher, Nick Michalek, who introduced him to the combination of problem solving, hands-on learning, science, and all-around "cool factor" that composes automotive technology; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders even helped teach the auto shop class while Nick Michalek was on paternity leave, and he was often the person that people turned to with questions; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders found the perfect college fit in Southern Illinois University's Automotive Technology and Engineering program; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders' academic interests extended far beyond cars, and he supplemented his primary studies with classes on architecture, Japanese culture, and Asian history; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders had a ferocious work ethic and was described by his professors as one of the most inquisitive and enthusiastic students at his university, even helping to initiate the development of new clubs and courses, making sure that everyone had a chance to grasp a little bit of the magic that captured him; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders' enthusiasm and kindness towards his peers helped cultivate a diverse and amazing group of friends, and he was eager to challenge those around him to expand their horizons and do more in their lives; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders planned to intern at an automaker in Japan in the summer of 2025 and had the ultimate goal of working in racing, with endurance racing at the top of his list; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders also imagined owning a shop in Italy, France, or Japan one day, where he could restore vintage rally cars and motorcycles, or building a winning car for the 24 Hours at Le Mans race; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders' relentless determination and spirit made it certain that he could accomplish anything he set his mind to, if given the time; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders was preceded in death by his grandparents, David and Mary Jo Souders; and

WHEREAS, Hank Souders is survived by his mother, Terese (Rosinski); his father, Brian Souders; his sister, Jane; his grandparents, Ed and Betsy Rosinski; his aunts and uncles, Janelle Souders, Diana (John) Yarberry, and Kevin (Leesa) Rosinski; and his cousins, Ashley, Megan, and Jacob Yarberry, and Kyle Rosinski; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Henry "Hank" Souders and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Hank Souders as an expression of our deepest sympathy.