HR0617 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0617 LRB094 14101 MKM 49833 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of this Body are honored to recognize significant milestones in the lives of the people of this State; and

WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that former State Representative Paul Stone of Sullivan is celebrating the 90th anniversary of his birth; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stone was born on September 21, 1915, in Newton to Claude and Ruth Stone; and

WHEREAS, He attended one room country schools until entering Sullivan Township High School, graduating in 1933; following graduation, he worked three years in Sullivan at the Brown Shoe Company for twelve cents an hour, ten hours a day, six days a week; in 1940, he received a Bachelor of Science in General Business, making him the first in his family to earn a college degree; on June 1, 1942, he received his L.L.B./J.D. law degree from the University of Illinois; he was honored by the University of Illinois Law School as its February 1973 Alumni of the Month; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stone married Thelma Jones in Benton on February 5, 1939; he was admitted to the practice of law on September 14, 1942; he was recognized in 1992 by the Illinois Bar Association as a Senior Counsel and by the Moultrie County Bar Association for 50 years of service as an attorney; he practiced law in Sullivan for 55 years until his retirement as senior partner of Stone, Stone, and Hanson in 1997; he has been recognized by numerous foundations and organizations and is a member of multiple professional and service organizations; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, he was elected as a member of the 67th General Assembly from the 24th District, serving as a State Representative; he was elected again in 1966 as State Representative to the 75th General Assembly for the 48th District and served through the 79th General Assembly, in which he was elected Chairman of the Democratic Conference; he also served on the Teacher's College Board for Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Western Illinois University, and Northern Illinois University and as a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Universities Civil Service Merit System, Board of Western Illinois University Foundation, and the Board of Illinois State University Foundation; he was elected to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees in 1978 and served 2 terms as President of the Board; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stone is the proud father of four children, Elaine Heavy, Paul Lee Stone, Michael L. Stone, and Marsha Daniel; he and his wife have ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate former State Representative Paul Stone on the occasion of his 90th birthday, and we extend to him our sincere best wishes for the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to him as an expression of our respect and esteem.