SR0433 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0433 LRB098 12637 MST 47191 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former State Senator Beverly J. Fawell of Glen Ellyn, who passed away on June 22, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Beverly (nee Landon) Fawell was born in Oak Park and graduated from Oak Park High School; she earned her bachelors degree from Elmhurst College, majoring in Business Administration and Elementary Education; she did her graduate studies in Political Science at Northern Illinois University; she married Bruce Fawell; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell worked as a teacher in West Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell served the people of the 20th Illinois State Senate District from 1983 to 1999; she had previously served as State Representative of the Illinois 41st District; while in office, she was known as an advocate for education, transportation, seniors, children, and the disadvantaged; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell was a tireless supporter of education while in office and for the rights of community colleges to have a voice in how they are operated; she never stopped advocating for school districts to achieve more flexibility regarding State mandates; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell championed social and health concerns; she strived to expand elder care options in the State and helped institute criminal background checks for health care workers; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell was nationally recognized with the Public Policy Pioneer award by the Assisted Living Federation of America for her efforts in bringing more assisted living options to Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell served as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and as a member of the Appropriations and Revenue Committees; she fought to improve Illinois roadways without increasing the gas tax; she advocated for the State to receive its fair share of the funds that it sends to the federal government for roadways; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell sponsored a law to create a 3-tiered licensing system for teen drivers so that they could have more time to learn safe driving skills; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell always realized the importance of home and family; she sponsored legislation to assist with adoption, to allow for equitable divorce proceedings, and to give fathers the same rights as mothers; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell was always active in DuPage County politics and government; she was a Republican Committeeman in DuPage County since 1956 and a Milton Township Committeeman for Precinct 17; she was in the Glen Ellyn Republican Women's Club, the Dupage Federation of Republican Women's Club, and served as DuPage County Chairman for many national, State, and local political candidates; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell was praised with hundreds of honors while in the Illinois General Assembly; she received the 1999 Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; the 1999 Legislative Excellence Award from the American Association of Retired Persons; the 1999 Merritt Grim Award from Senior Home Share; the 1998 Distinguished Service Award from the Safe Harbor Children's Waiting Room; the 1998 Legislator of Year Award from the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association; the 1998 Outstanding Leadership Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts; the 1997 Certificate of Appreciation from the Illinois Rural Health Association; the 1997 Legislators Associated with Safety Award; membership to the 1997 Quarter Century Club of the Milton Township Republican Central Committee; the 1996 Outstanding Contributions to Support Legal Aid Services Award from the Wage Legal Assistance Foundation; the 1996 DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference Legislator of the Year Award; the 1996 Distinguished Achievement Award Award from DuPage LAN; 1996 Hamdard Community Service Award; the 1996 Outstanding Senator Award from the Wage County Farm Bureau; the 1995 Voice of Employers Award from the Management Association of Illinois; the 1994 Illinois Legislator of the Year Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business; the 1994 Sponsor's Award Illinois Credit Union League; the 1994 Sincere Appreciation Award from the College of Wage; and 1993 Legislator of the Year Award from the Wage Senior Citizens Council; and

WHEREAS, Beverly Fawell was the loving mother of Jeff (Blanche), Judy, Scott (Andrea), and the late Steve; devoted grandmother of Dan, Tim, Joe, Katie, Jon, Michael, and Nikki; and great-grandmother of Liz, Mike, Emma, and Steven; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former State Senator Beverly J. Fawell, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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