HR0284 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0284 LRB096 12358 KXB 25215 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas J. Hanahan of Prescott, Arizona, formerly of McHenry, who passed away on April 3, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. Hanahan was born in Chicago; he always lived each day to the fullest, enjoying traveling, woodworking and carpentry, golfing, sailing, cooking (Brigidini's and Irish Soda Bread were his specialty), and spending quality time with his family; and

WHEREAS, He attended St. Ignatius High School in Chicago and graduated from the Carpenter's Apprentice School as journeyman carpenter; he served his country from 1951 to 1953 in the United States Navy Seabees in the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, In 1964 he was elected to the Illinois State Legislature on an at-large ballot and served the citizens of Illinois for 18 years; he is best remembered as a strong champion for labor issues during his tenure in the legislature; he served as the State Chair for the Young Democrats for the State of Illinois, and was honored to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1968 and again in 1972; and

WHEREAS, He worked his way up through the ranks of the International United Brotherhood of Carpenters with the high point serving as Vice President of the Executive Board; he was a 50-plus year active member of both the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union and the Knights of Columbus; he served as a Grand Knight of the Thomas D. Reilly Council 10668, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, as a Faithful Navigator of the Hilton Head Assembly of the 4th Degree, and as District Director for the state of South Carolina; he was a current member of the Prescott American Legion Post 6 and of Yavapai Council 1032 Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Hanahan is survived by his beloved wife, Sandee (Schweighart); and his four children, Thomas J. Hanahan III, Karen Holycross and husband, Dan, Connie Molland and husband, Rick, and David Hanahan; his grandchildren, Sarah Bo Morel and husband, Brian and Lindsay Street and husband, Henry Ryan; his great-grandchildren, Aiden and Sophia Morel; his mother, Madeline Hanahan; his brothers, Bob Hanahan and wife, Ida and Phil Hanahan and fiancee, Carole; and his sister, Marilyn Ferro and husband, Enrique; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of former State Representative Thomas Hanahan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Thomas Hanahan as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.