SR0576 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0576 LRB103 35154 ECR 65123 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph S. Hurwitz of Springfield, who passed away on October 18, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hurwitz was born to Henry and Bertha (Chason) Hurwitz in Petersburg on September 8, 1924; he enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 17, 1943, serving in the Medical Detachment 399th Infantry in the European Theater; he earned the Medical Badge, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the American Theater Ribbon, the Fame Theater Ribbon with two bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal with two Overseas Bars, and the Purple Heart; he was honorably discharged on May 15, 1946; he attended Iowa State University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; he married Betty Greenberg on April 10, 1949; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hurwitz began working as executive vice president and chairman of the Policy Management Committee for the Barker-Lubin Company in 1950; he became a partner with Hurwitz Enterprises in 1970; he was a registered real estate and insurance broker in the State; while he officially retired in 1986, he continued to be active in the real estate profession; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hurwitz was chairman of the Springfield Airport Authority and a board member of the Memorial Hospital Foundation; he was a member of the Economic Development Council for Springfield and Sangamon County, the Governor's Council of Health and Physical Fitness, the Springfield Art Association, the Sangamo Club, the Springfield Board of Realtors, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Aeronautics Advisor State of Illinois, the Illinois Hotel and Motel Association, the American Hotel and Motel Association, and the National Home Builders Association; he was the past president of Springfield Air Rendezvous and the Springfield Aviation Council; he was also the past chairman of the Governor's Prayer Breakfast Committee and a past board member of Child and Family Services and the Boys Club of America; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hurwitz was proud of his heritage, serving as a member and past president of Temple B'rith Shalom and as a past president of the Springfield Jewish Federation; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hurwitz received the Sertoma Service to Mankind Award and the Golden Boy Award from the Boys Club of America; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hurwitz was preceded in death by his daughters, Mary Jean Hurwitz and Lynne Hurwitz-Jackman, and his siblings, Irving and Evelyn; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hurwitz is survived by his wife; his son, Joe (Anna) Hurwitz; his grandchildren, Mary "Mimi" (Katie) Hurwitz, Jake (Amber) Hurwitz, Henry (Kelly) Hurwitz, and Michael (Kayla) Hurwitz; his great-grandchildren, Albie Hurwitz, Hudson Hurwitz, Aubrey Hurwitz, Chloe Hurwitz, Willow Hurwitz, Lola Hurwitz, Theo Hurwitz, Lily Hurwitz, and Charlie Tinsley; and his nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ralph S. Hurwitz 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 Ralph Hurwitz as an expression of our deepest sympathy.