SR0224 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0224 LRB097 11925 KXB 55383 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Aaron Michael Olinghouse of Wood River, who passed away on April 7, 2011; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Wood River on January 13, 1990; Aaron was afflicted with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and had been in a wheelchair since age 9; Aaron resided with his grandparents, Vern and Connie Phillips in Wood River, with his father living next door; "Gram" cared for Aaron with all the love in her heart for that special child; and

WHEREAS, When Aaron was in 4th grade at Wood River-Hartford Elementary, his friend, Scott Bailey, also afflicted with MD, and his aide, fell down a flight of stairs; Aaron was given a "Do The Right Thing" award for rushing to get them help; he went on to attend East Alton-Wood River Community High School, receiving his diploma from Mr. John Pearson, Superintendent of Schools, Faculty and Staff in 2007 in his home with his friends present; and

WHEREAS, Aaron loved the St. Louis Blues and Green Bay Packers; he and his father would attend games when he was well enough to go; he attended the last Rams-Packer game in St. Louis, where he met Brett Favre, who began to send him different things, nearly making Aaron cry each time from the joy he received; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Edward McGuiggan and Vern, and JoRuth Phillips; and his uncles, Edward and Mark McGuiggan; and

WHEREAS, Aaron Olinghouse is survived by his parents, Michael Olinghouse and Heather Brown-Howard; his grandparents, Vern and Connie Phillips; his great-grandmother, Gladys McGuiggan; his sister, Halie Sierra Olinghouse, whom he was very proud of and loved deeply; his uncles, Chad (Shana) Olinghouse, Jay (Georgia) Phillips, Craig (Heather) Shattuck, Eric (Lisa) Phillips, and Shane Phillips, who was like a brother; his aunt, Nichol Stuessel; his great-uncles, Michael (Bonnie) McGuiggan, Jeffrey (Terri) McGuiggan, Roger (Wilda) Phillips, Jeffrey (Nina) Phillips, and Larry Phillips; his great-aunts, Gay Buellman, Jill (Dennis) Stevenson, and Sheely (Denis) Reed; his great-great-aunt and great-great-uncle, Ruby and Jim Clark; Les-Lee Clark, a very special friend and cousin; his cousins, Rhiannon "Rosie", Emily, Caitlyn Aryn, Abigail Nina, Wyatt, and Karlie Matthew; and his best friend since pre-school, Taylor Marks; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Aaron Olinghouse; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Aaron Olinghouse as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.