SR0730 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0730 LRB093 23494 RAS 53489 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate of the State of Illinois were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Michael Davis of Evanston on September 7, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Michael Davis was born in County Galway, Ireland in 1939; he came to the United States with his mother and brother when he was ten years old; the family settled in the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis graduated from St. Sabrina Grade School and St. Ignatius College Prep; he graduated with honors from John Carroll University in 1962 and earned a law degree from Georgetown University in 1965; and

WHEREAS, Following his admission to the Illinois Bar, Mr. Davis was briefly employed by the National Labor Relations Board; his employment with the Board was interrupted when he was ordered to active duty in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army in January of 1966; he was assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Eighth Army Support Command in Seoul, Korea where he prosecuted major felonies and advised commanders from May of 1966 to July of 1967; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning to Chicago, Mr. Davis joined the prominent law firm, Lord, Bissell & Brook LLP, where he practiced law for 34 years; he became partner five years later and he retired in 2002 after serving as the firm's Chief Operating Officer for twelve years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis also served as Paddock Publications' primary libel counsel for the better part of two decades and was a member of the company's board of directors; in addition, he served as a legal adviser to the Daily Herald, which is owned by Paddock Publications; he defended the paper against claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, and other issues of liability and was known as "a great advocate of the business of journalism"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis was the recipient of the President's Award for loyal and generous service to St. Ignatius College Prep; he served on the Board of Boy's Hope Girl's Hope of Illinois and on the President's Council at John Carroll University; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Michael Davis will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Barbara; his children, Elizabeth and Michael; and his brother Bartholomew; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Michael Davis along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

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