HR0692 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0692 LRB097 16347 GRL 61503 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Don Hickman of Springfield, who passed away on November 19, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Don Hickman was born on September 1, 1937, in Trenton, Tennessee; he was the son of Reese and Janie Maude Hickman; he married Betty Baltz on January 5, 1962, in Rutherford, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Don Hickman proudly served his country as a member of the Tennessee National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Don Hickman had a long and distinguished career in journalism; he began his career working with the Dixie Network in Tennessee in 1956, earning a position as the evening news anchor for the network 2 years later; he then moved to Memphis, where he worked for WMC-TV covering stories such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination and the "James Meredith Enrollment" at the University of Mississippi; after winning the coveted "Journalist of the Year Award", he became a correspondent for NBC News in Chicago; he also worked as a reporter and newscaster for KSTP in Minneapolis; in 2004, he co-founded Springfield Scene Magazine, a publication focusing on local charities and community events; and

WHEREAS, Don Hickman is best known for his 29 years as a newscaster at WICS in Springfield, where he produced several projects earning him many awards, including a national Emmy nomination for his "Living with AIDS" documentary; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Don Hickman earned an honorary doctorate degree from MacMurray College for Public Service; and

WHEREAS, Don Hickman took great pride in his annual charity golf outings, which raised thousands of dollars for various organizations throughout central Illinois; he also enjoyed golfing, reading, and spending time with his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Don Hickman is survived by his wife, Betty; his sons, Barry (wife, Christina) and Todd (wife, Dawn); his grandchildren, Stephanie, Hallie, Ryan, Maggie, Hunter, and Jackson; his sister, Pam Flowers; and his many nieces and nephews; 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 his family and friends, the passing of Don Hickman; and be it further

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