HR1375 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1375 LRB097 23825 MST 73047 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sandra J. Mills, who passed away on November 27, 2012, after a long battle with cancer; and

WHEREAS, Sandra J. Mills was born on March 26, 1947, in Mendota to Lois and Ben Clarke; she grew up in Peoria, obtained her B.S. in sociology at Bradley University, her M.S.W. at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, and her doctorate in adult education at Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Sandra J. Mills devoted much of her career to the practice of social work; in 1991 she became the lobbyist for the National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter and in that capacity was a strong and successful advocate for the profession of social work and for human services in Illinois and in the United States for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, Sandra J. Mills joined the faculty of the University of Illinois-Springfield in 1994 where she taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels in the Child Family and Community Services Program and the Social Work Program; she achieved tenure in 2001 and served as department chair in 2003 and 2004; she developed an internship for students and taught in Sighisoara, Romania, in 2001 and 2004; she retired from UIS as professor emeritus; and

WHEREAS, Sandra J. Mills was the recipient of many honors and awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Work from the National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter; and

WHEREAS, Sandra J. Mills was a loving and inspirational mother, mentor, friend, and partner who was adored and cherished by her family, friends, and colleagues and will be remembered for her humor, warmth, open-mindedness, intellect, and compassion; and

WHEREAS, Sandra J. Mills is survived by her husband, Joseph Mills; her son, Aaron Mills; her daughter, Lisa Stewart; her sister, Joy Henderson; and her sister-in-law, Betty Phalen; and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Sandra J. Mills; and be it further

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