SR2238 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2238 LRB099 23387 GRL 50850 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ray Spooner of Urbana, who passed away on August 8, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Ray Spooner was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in December of 2014 and accepted his diagnosis with grace; on his three-item bucket list was a cross-country bicycle ride from San Diego to St. Augustine, Florida to raise funds for ALS awareness and research; on day five, an accident resulting in seven broken bones ended his original vision of the ride and the diminished line-up of riders continued with Ray and Rae as support; in Austin, he was outfitted with a recumbent trike and was able to fulfill his dream, finish the ride, and dip his wheel into the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Ray Spooner spent his final months at home, being cared for by his wife, children, family, and friends; unable to speak, he communicated by one-thumb texting and through his eloquently written blog, rayslittleride.com; and

WHEREAS, Ray Spooner is survived by his wife, Rae; his children, Lisa (Corey) Curtiss, Manu, and Sophia; his grandson, Jack Curtiss; his mother, Jeanne Spooner; his sister, Lynn Wallis and her family; his in-laws, Tauby Shimkin and Paul Weichsel; and many extended family members; therefore, be it

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

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