SR0598 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0598 LRB099 12552 MST 36026 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Warren Arthur Harris of Peoria, who passed away on May 17, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Warren Harris was born in Peoria on September 19, 1936 to Ruth (nee Hulquist) and Clarence Harris; he attended Peoria Heights Grade School, Woodruff High School, and Bradley University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business; he married Patricia McFarlane on July 29, 1961; and

WHEREAS, Warren Harris was employed as a systems analyst by Caterpillar, Inc., retiring in 1999; he served on several City of Peoria commissions and was precinct committeeman for the Uplands Neighborhood Association and President of the West Bluff Council in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Warren Harris was a member the Universalist Unitarian Church, where he served as President in the 1980s and received the Outstanding Service Award from the church in 2007; he marched for civil rights and the peace movement and supported equal rights for women and LGBT individuals; after retirement, he volunteered at Springdale Cemetery; he served as Vice-President of the Peoria Chapter of the ACLU and received the David Citron Award in 2008 for his contributions to civil rights in the Peoria area; and

WHEREAS, Warren Harris was affectionately called "Uncle Warnie"; he enjoyed politics, reading, movies, dogs, crossword puzzles, the dictionary, the writings of Robert G. Ingersoll, and music; and

WHEREAS, Warren Harris was preceded in death by his brother, the Rev. Gerald Harris; and

WHEREAS, Warren Harris is survived by his wife, Patricia; his 5 daughters, Margaret Lee (Bill) Schmider, Kathleen Michelle (Tom) Hafele, Joan Marie (Shannon) Walden, Elizabeth Jean (Matt) Allen, and Michelle Therese (Troy) Adams; his 12 grandchildren, Michael Harris, Joshua Harris, Jessica and Jennifer Schmider, Jake and Kassidy Hafele, Kyle and Delaney Walden, MacKenzie and Jack Allen, and Ayla and Bowie Adams; his 5 great-grandchildren, Jayden, Caylee, Brooklyn, Naevia, and Liam; his sisters, Donna (Bob) Norman and Doris Kamrowski; his sister-in-law, Joan Harris; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Warren Arthur Harris, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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