SR0730 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0730 LRB095 21524 GRL 51377 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James B. Ford of Glenview, who passed away on May 19, 2008; and

WHEREAS, James B. Ford was born on July 18, 1958 in Chicago; in 1976, he graduated from Saint Laurence High School, where he was on the Honor Roll and was involved in the student council; and

WHEREAS, James B. Ford was the recipient of the Saint Laurence Leadership Award for Scholarship, Good Citizenship and Athletic Ability from 1972-1976; he was a letterman in track and football in 1973, 1974, and 1975; he was a member of the Chicago Catholic League Football and Prep Bowl Champs in 1973-1974; he was All-Catholic League in football in 1975 and was Honorable Mention All-State in football in 1975; in the summer of 1976, he represented Saint Laurence in the Chicago Catholic League vs. Chicago Public League All-Star Football Game; and

WHEREAS, James B. Ford attended Northwestern University on a football scholarship from 1976 to 1981; while attending college, he was a four-year starter as an offensive lineman under coaches John Pont and Rick Venturi; throughout his life, he was a proud Northwestern Wildcat; and

WHEREAS, James B. Ford was a member of the 1980 Academic All-American First Team and the 1979 and 1980 Academic All-Big Ten Conference Teams; he was the recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor (for Scholarship and Academic Prowess), the Big Ten's oldest award, in recognition of his proficiency in scholarship and athletics; and

WHEREAS, James B. Ford graduated from John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1985; and

WHEREAS, James B. Ford worked for Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, as Director of Electronic Data for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, James B. Ford was the beloved husband of Geri Ford, nee Gaughan; the loving father of Kathleen, Jimbo, Luke, and Elizabeth; the devoted son of Joseph "Greg" and the late Rosemary "Babe" Ford; the dear brother of Joseph (Connie) Ford; the fond son-in-law of Kevin and Kathleen Gaughan; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of James B. Ford; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James B. Ford as an expression of our sympathy.