SR0509 LRB096 15681 GRL 30917 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Ron Sobieszczyk, who passed away on
4 October 23, 2009; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Ron Sobieszczyk attended Providence St. Mel High
6 School, where he unsuccessfully tried out for the junior
7 varsity squad; undaunted, he transferred to St. Bonaventure
8 Academy in Wisconsin before enrolling at DePaul University; and
 
9     WHEREAS, As captain of DePaul University's 1956 team, Ron
10 Sobieszczyk led his team into the NCAA tournament and was one
11 of the nation's top free-throw shooters and rebounders; in
12 total, he scored 1,222 points for the Blue Demons between 1953
13 and 1956 and has the 4th highest scoring average in DePaul's
14 history; after graduating, he was named MVP of the World Series
15 of Basketball, a 21-game tour between the Harlem Globetrotters
16 and college all-stars; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Following his stint at DePaul, Ron Sobieszczyk was
18 drafted 6th in the first round by the Fort Wayne Pistons; he
19 was subsequently traded to the Knicks, where he played for 4
20 seasons; during his time with the Knicks, he appeared in 192
21 games and scored nearly 1,700 points; he then played one game
22 for the Minneapolis Lakers before a knee injury cut his career

 

 

SR0509 - 2 - LRB096 15681 GRL 30917 r

1 short; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Ron Sobieszczyk was the operator of a sports bar
3 in Cicero; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Ron Sobieszczyk was entered into the DePaul
5 University's inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1976 in
6 recognition of his stellar career; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Mr. Sobieszczyk is survived by his wife of 51
8 years, Ann; his son, Lee; his daughters, Maria and Francine;
9 his 14 grandchildren; and his great-grandchild; therefore, be
10 it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
12 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
13 his family and friends, the passing of Ron Sobieszczyk; and be
14 it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16 presented to the family of Ron Sobieszczyk as an expression of
17 our sympathy.