SR0330 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0330 LRB095 13056 GRL 38697 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Virgil Boucher of Peoria, who passed away on August 8, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher was born on October 25, 1909 in Murphysboro; his parents were John S. and Rachel Lyerla Boucher; he married Estella Bagley on August 8, 1937 in Murphysboro; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher graduated from Monmouth College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and chemistry; he earned a master's degree from the University of Iowa in health, physical education, and recreation and a master's degree from Bradley University in guidance and counseling; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher taught for 43 years in Illinois high schools; he was head football coach at Woodruff High School in Peoria for 20 years and served 10 years as a visiting counselor; and he was coordinator of a program for crime prevention and support for senior victims of crime; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher was a member and held various offices in many community organizations; he was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Peoria, the Tri-County Heart Association, the Illinois Affiliate Chapter of the American Heart Board, Peoria County Precinct Committeeman, the Congressional Awards Committee, the Peoria Area Retired Teachers Association, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the Forrest Hill United Methodist Church of Peoria, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Monmouth College Alumni Board, the Illinois Lieutenant Governor's Legislative Forum, Methodist Hospital Older Adults Advisory Board, and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity; he also served as Director of the Court Counseling Program for Peoria County and served as a Woodruff High School Key Club advisor; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher received many accolades for his public service; he was the recipient of the Tom Connor Award for Volunteer Community Service, the Raymond A. Blunt Award for Outstanding Service to Key Clubs in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District, and the Kiwanis Luis Amados Award; he had also been honored by the Illinois High Schools Football Coaches' Hall of Fame, the Monmouth College Graduate M Club Hall of Fame, the Woodruff High School Hall of Fame, and the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher served three terms on the Federal Council on Aging and attended three White House conferences on aging for the Council; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher was preceded in death by his wife; his daughter, Judith Chamberlain; and his brothers and sisters; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Boucher is survived by several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Virgil Boucher as an expression of our sympathy.