SR0374 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0374 LRB097 14058 GRL 58700 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert W. Galvin; and

WHEREAS, Robert Galvin was born in 1922, in Marshfield, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Robert Galvin had a long and distinguished career in telecommunications; he began working in the stock room of Galvin Manufacturing Corporation in Chicago, a business founded by his father and uncle, in 1940; the company made a device that recharged batteries used to power radios and developed the "Handie-Talkie", a 2-way radio that ended up being used in all theaters during World War II; and

WHEREAS, In 1959, following the passing of his father, Robert Galvin took the helm at the company, which had since acquired the name Motorola; the company subsequently moved from Chicago to Schaumburg in 1967, which helped spur the growth of the suburb; under his leadership, Motorola played a role in outer space, developing key communications products used in America's space program; Motorola gear brought the sound and video images to Earth in 1969, when astronaut Neil Armstrong spoke his famous words "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure at Motorola, Robert Galvin created many initiatives that led to the company's incredible growth; in 1973, Motorola demonstrated DynaTAC, the first hand-held cellular phone, which weighed about 2 pounds; the phones became available 10 years later; in 1987, he led the company into China with a $100 million investment, which led to the name "Motorola" becoming synonymous with the cell phone in China; after stepping down as CEO in 1986, he continued to serve as the company's chairman until 1990; he then served on the company's board of directors until 2001; and

WHEREAS, Robert Galvin is survived by his wife, Mary Barnes Galvin; his children, Gail Galvin Ellis, Dawn Galvin Meiners, Christopher Galvin, and Michael Galvin; his 13 grandchildren; and his 10 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Robert W. Galvin; and be it further

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