HR0921 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0921 LRB093 22051 HSS 50476 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of their former colleague, Senator Ralph Dunn, of DuQuoin, on Monday, May 3, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Dunn was born in 1914 in Pickneyville to Arthur and Florence Dunn; he graduated from Pickneyville High School in 1933; he married Ellen Fones in 1935; she preceded him in death in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Senator Dunn first became involved in politics when he worked in Chuck Percy's 1964 run for governor; in 1968, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention; in 1969, he was elected to become a member of the Illinois Constitution Convention; at the convention, he fought for the right of Illinoisans to bear arms and to prevent efforts that allowed branch banking; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, Senator Dunn successfully ran for a seat in the House of Representatives, where he served from 1973 to 1984; he moved to the Senate in 1985 and served until his retirement in 1995; during his tenure as a legislator, Senator Dunn was most proud of helping to raise the drinking age to 21, protecting gun owner rights, and advocating for Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; and

WHEREAS, Senator Dunn and his two younger brothers started a ready-mix business, a trucking company, a car dealership, and owned a radio station; they were all pilots; and

WHEREAS, Senator Dunn was active in his local Cerebral Palsy chapter; he was known as a gentleman and for his willingness to stand up for what he believed in; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Senator Ralph Dunn has been deeply felt by many, especially his children, Reverend Jerry Dunn, Catherine Sunquist, Florence Dunn-O'Neal, and Janet Johnson; his brother James Dunn; and his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Senator Ralph Dunn, our former colleague, and we extend our sincere condolences to his friends, family, 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 Senator Ralph Dunn as an expression of our deepest sympathy.