HR0759 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0759 LRB094 15144 RAS 50322 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with deep sadness of the death of Howard Franklin Eychaner on Tuesday, November 1, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Eychaner was born in Sycamore on August 22, 1916, to Perry J. and Ethel B. Eychaner; he was a 1934 graduate of DeKalb High School; and

WHEREAS, On February 6, 1942, Mr. Eychaner married Mildred Marie Lovett in Winnebago; he was a member of the First United Methodist Church in DeKalb since 1928; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Eychaner advocated justice and dignity for all people, including women, refugees, and people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds; along with his wife, Mildred, he co-founded the Northern Illinois Chapter of Parents-Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG); they worked tirelessly for the full acceptance and inclusion of gays and lesbians into society in general and, in particular, within the United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Northern Illinois University, in honor of the Eychaners' contributions on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, created the Eychaner Award to honor others committed to the same work; in 2002, the couple was honored with the first Pioneer Family Award from the national P-FLAG organization; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Eychaner he was founding president and board member of the DeKalb Area Retirement Center; in May of 2005, the Oak Crest Health Center was named for the Eychaners; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his sister, Doris Ringstrom, and his brother, Donald; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Howard Franklin Eychaner has been deeply felt by many, especially his children, Fred, James (Barbara), Rich, and Barbara (Tom) Richardson; his four grandchildren, Anne, Jay, Tim Richardson, and Alana Richardson; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Howard Franklin Eychaner, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 his family as an expression of our sincere condolences for their loss.