SR0272 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0272 LRB097 12412 KXB 56891 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Richard A. Goodwin of Alton, who passed away on June 13, 2011; and

WHEREAS, He attended Alton schools, graduating in 1964; he participated in school sports through his sophomore year; in high school, he played basketball for 2 seasons for the YMCA Flyers, making it to the Final Four in 1964; in 1967, he was injured while a passenger in an automobile accident in Alton; he was paralyzed from the chest down and became a wheelchair user; in 1969, he entered Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he earned a BA in American studies and an MA in sociology; and

WHEREAS, After graduation, he lived and worked in St. Louis for approximately 10 years; in 1985, he returned to Alton as the founding executive director of IMPACT, a disability rights and independent living organization; he was well-known as an expert on the history and philosophy of the disability rights and independent living movements, regularly providing training around the State; his writings were used to help train individuals from new disability right advocates to special education students and professionals; and

WHEREAS, He served as executive director of IMPACT until 2004; he remained as an adviser for a short period; during his life he received many awards of recognition, including the Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award, Ed Roberts Independent Living Award, The Magic Award, Spirit of Independence Award, and the Alton YWCA Man of Distinction Award; his most proud moment came when being distinguished as the 2010 Alton Halloween Parade Grand Marshal; and

WHEREAS, In retirement, he enjoyed time with his wife and extended family, renewing old friendships and attending Alton High School varsity basketball games; he downloaded hundreds of music videos, created music videos for the AHS class of 1964, and became a video blogger on living with colon cancer; he was generally ready on short notice for lunch or dinner out, driving his ramp-equipped van around Alton and, at different times, driving to Florida, Cape Cod, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, and other parts of the country; and

WHEREAS, On May 19, 1990, he married the former Jan Belt Arnoldi at Main Street United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ellen (Stone) Goodwin; and a sister, Viola Baehler; and

WHEREAS, Richard Goodwin is survived by his wife; his son, Troy (Julie) Arnoldi; his grandchildren, Brandon and Brooke Beckerdite and Addison and Reagan Arnoldi; his brothers, George (Verma) and Ron (Barbara); his sister, Jo Ann Huntsman; he leaves many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends; 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 Richard Goodwin; and be it further

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