SR1397 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1397 LRB098 22228 GRL 61103 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Era Eugene "Gene" Callahan of Springfield, who passed away on August 4, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Era Callahan was born on November 5, 1933 in Milford; his parents were Joe and Helen Meyer Callahan; his father, an active Democrat and Illinois State Representative, introduced him to politics and his way of life; and

WHEREAS, Era Callahan served his country as a member of the United States Army in Germany from 1956 to 1957; and

WHEREAS, Era Callahan was a graduate of Illinois College in Jacksonville, where he played baseball and met his future wife; he married Antoinette "Ann" Hammond on October 26, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Era Callahan began his career as a political reporter for the Illinois State Register, the predecessor to the State Journal-Register, where he wrote a daily political column called Callagrams for many years; he later left journalism to become deputy press secretary to Governors Samuel H. Shapiro and Otto Kerner, eventually serving Lt. Governor Paul Simon; he served as director of communications for City Water Light and Power for the City of Springfield; he served as United States Senator Alan Dixon's Chief of Staff during his years as Illinois State Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Senator; he also served as the director of Government Relations for Major League Baseball and served on the board of trustees for Southern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Era Callahan was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Fran; a sister, Jody Pruitt; and a son, Daniel "Coach Cal" Callahan; and

WHEREAS, Era Callahan is survived by his wife, Ann; 2 daughters, Lynn (Al) Riddley and United States Representative Cheri (Gerry) Bustos; a daughter-in-law, Stacy Callahan; 7 grandchildren, Brad and Chrissy Ruppert, Tony, Nick, and Joey Bustos, and Alexa and Carly Callahan; and a sister, Neta (Myron) Erdman; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Era Eugene "Gene" Callahan; and be it further

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