SR0118 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0118 LRB095 11686 KXB 34083 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary K. Podesta of Washington, D.C., formerly of Chicago, who passed away on March 9, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Mary Podesta was born in Chicago to Greek immigrant parents; she graduated from high school and worked in her father's restaurant, where she met a customer who became her husband; and

WHEREAS, After their marriage she became a full-time homemaker until her children went to school, and then occasionally worked as a pollwatcher; she then became a department manager at Bankers Life and Casualty Company in Chicago for almost 30 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1987 Mary Podesta moved to Washington, D.C. and became known as "Mama Podesta" to the many politicians, lobbyists, staffers, and others who became acquainted with her fine cooking at Democratic dinners and fundraisers; her famous pesto, which came from a recipe of her husband's family and originated in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, was a hit at the many parties and dinners where she cooked and prepared the meals; and

WHEREAS, Mary Podesta was preceded in death by her husband, John D. Podesta Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Mary Podesta was the mother of Tony (Heather) and John (Mary) Podesta; the grandmother of Megan (Gordon) Rouse and Mae and Gabe Podesta; the great-grandmother of Maribel and Gabriel Rouse; and the sister of Evelyn (Spiro) Carres; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Mary Podesta; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Podesta as a symbol of our sympathy.