SR0742 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0742 LRB093 24036 CSA 54176 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The process of making laws in Illinois relies on staff members who work closely with legislators to enact good public policy that benefits all citizens; and

WHEREAS, Michael "Mike" Baer of Springfield joined the Senate Republican Staff in January 2004, working as a legislative analyst with the Local Government Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mike was passionate about the good things that the government could accomplish, and was driven to learn more so he could make a difference; and

WHEREAS, A loyal Republican, Mike's favorite President was Ronald Reagan; and

WHEREAS, His interest in politics and government was evident early on, as he served as Senate President in the Model Illinois Government; and

WHEREAS, He graduated from Sacred Heart Griffin High School in Springfield in 1993, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 1999; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, he was the recipient of the Dunn Fellowship in the Governor's Office; and

WHEREAS, Before joining the Senate staff in 2004, Mike was a legislative liaison, and later, the director of Government Affairs at the Illinois Commerce Commission; he also worked at the Department of Professional Regulation and the Department of Central Management Services; and

WHEREAS, Earlier this year, Mike took a leave of absence from his work with the Senate to help with a campaign for the Supreme Court, the highest court in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Mike was en route from one campaign event to another on October 11, 2004, when he was killed in a one-car accident in Saline County; and

WHEREAS, Mike is survived by his parents, Steven and Rhonda Baer of Springfield, and Susan Baer of Palm Beach, Florida; his sister, Melissa Baer of Columbia, Missouri; his brother, Jonathan Baer of Springfield; his grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins; and

WHEREAS, Mike dearly loved his younger brother and sister, and enjoyed taking care of them; and

WHEREAS, he was a member of Temple B'rith Shalom, the Springfield Jewish Federation, and B'nai B'rith; and

WHEREAS, Mike was an ardent fan of the St. Louis Cardinals; and

WHEREAS, Mike was a hard worker, a generous person who would give you the shirt off his back; a person known for his honesty and integrity, and a good friend to those lucky enough to know him well; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that our hearts go out to his family and friends at the loss of this fine young man; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mike Baer with our most profound and heartfelt sympathy.