SR1525 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1525 LRB101 23119 ECR 74252 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sheldon Liebman, who passed away on September 15, 2020 at the age of 79; and

WHEREAS, Sheldon Liebman was born to Abe and Sadie Liebman in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 17, 1940; he attended the Wharton School where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics; he later received a Ph.D in American Literature from the University of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Sheldon Liebman was a student of Judaism and the Bible; he authored two books, one on Christianity and one on Judaism; and

WHEREAS, Sheldon Liebman authored 35 articles on American Literature and was a university professor for 57 years, teaching literature, philosophy, grammar, writing, and humanities; most recently, he served as chair of the Humanities Department at Wilbur Wright College until his retirement in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Sheldon Liebman served for eight years as a member of the Oak Park Elementary School Board and for five years on the Hemingway Foundation Board; he was a member of the Walter Mitty Jazz Band, the Pennies From Heaven Trio, and the American Library Association; and

WHEREAS, Sheldon Liebman had a sharp sense of humor that was matched only by his brilliant mind, his humble way of living, and his love for his faith; of all of his accomplishments, he said he was most proud of having built a summer home in Upstate New York with just a hammer and handsaw; he was an activist, a humanitarian, and an advocate for equality and justice; and

WHEREAS, Sheldon Liebman is survived by his beloved partner of 30 years, Gail; his children, Sarah (Brian) and Rebecca; his former spouse and the mother of his children, Gale; his grandchildren, Charlotte, Markus, and Micah; his sister, Dianne (Allan); his brother, Marc (Patricia); his nieces, Pamela, Stephanie, and Caroline; and his nephews, Ari, David, Lionel, Simian, Zachary, and Andy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Sheldon Liebman, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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