SR0770 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0770 LRB099 13063 GRL 37085 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael J. Birck; and

WHEREAS, Michael Birck attended Purdue University, where he played varsity baseball and graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1960; and

WHEREAS, Michael Birck served as CEO of Tellabs, Inc., which he co-founded with 5 others during a brainstorming session at his kitchen table in 1975; the company began making echo suppressors designed to improve telephone reception, which led to the company developing an echo canceller in 1981; by 2001, the company made $3 billion in sales and had 8,900 employees; he retired from his role as CEO of the company in 2004 and retired as chairman in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Michael Birck was a member of Purdue University's Board of Trustees for 14 years until he stepped down from the position in 2013; his philanthropic efforts included gifts of more than $30 million to the University's nanotechnology center and its golf complex; and

WHEREAS, Michael Birck was a family man who enjoyed playing golf and watching baseball games, both the Chicago Cubs and those of his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Michael Birck was the beloved husband of Katherine Birck (nee Royer); the loving father of Kevin (Laura) Birck, Joni (Charles) Stevenson, and Christopher (Christine) Birck; the cherished grandfather of Ian Stevenson, Colleen Stevenson, Morgan Birck, Mackenzie Birck, Hannah Stevenson, Christopher "CJ" Birck, and Keely Stevenson; the dear brother of Barbara (Louis) Roehm, Patrick (Nancy) Birck, Jon (Karen) Birck, and Vickie (Ed) McDevitt; the brother-in-law of Betty Shepherd and Joan Smith; and the cherished uncle and good friend of many; 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 Michael J. Birck; and be it further

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