HR0714 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0714 LRB095 13710 GRL 39435 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dean Spears on the occasion of his 75th birthday on January 5, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Dean William Joseph Spears was born on January 5, 1932 in Kinsman; he attended Jefferson School and Streator High School; and

WHEREAS, Dean Spears moved to Ottawa, Illinois in 1950; he worked periodically at Libby Owens Ford Glass Company from 1952 until his retirement in 1985; Mr. Spears, along with his wife, owned and operated a restaurant and nightclub named Dino's in Ottawa from 1973 to 1976; in 1989, Mr. Spears and his wife moved to St. Petersburg, Florida to serve as general managers of the Moulton Residence Hotel; they moved back to Ottawa in 1991 in order to be closer to their family; he has remained in Ottawa since 1991; and

WHEREAS, Dean Spears enjoys spending time with his children and their families; he also enjoys cooking, pioneering such recipes as Johnny Mazetti, a noodle dish beloved by his entire family, as well as peanut butter and Miracle Whip sandwiches, meatloaf stuffed with hard-boiled eggs, and deep-fried turkey; he is an avid card player, particularly enjoying the games of poker, euchre, and canasta; he reveled in playing lawn games, such as horseshoes, croquet, and darts; and he loves taking vacations in such places as Las Vegas and Jamaica; and

WHEREAS, Dean Spears is an avid sports fan; he is a long-time fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls; his love for those teams, however, pales in comparison to the love he has for the Chicago White Sox; he has remained loyal to his beloved White Sox throughout the team's trials and tribulations and considers the White Sox's 2005 World Series victory a highlight in his life; and

WHEREAS, Dean Spears was married for 34 years to his lovely wife, Shirley, who passed away on August 13, 2004; her loss was felt greatly by Mr. Spears and his family, who miss her dearly; and

WHEREAS, Dean Spears is a man dearly loved and respected by his family and many friends, who have been enriched by him in ways they will never forget; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dean Spears on the occasion of his 75th birthday and wish him many more happy and healthy years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dean Spears as a symbol of our esteem and respect.