HR0779 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Harlow "Bud" Swartout Jr., who passed away on November 20, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout was born in Galesburg to Harlow "Jerry" Sr. and Florence (Hawkins) Swartout on October 28, 1927; he graduated from Galesburg High School, where he played football, wrestled, and competed in track and field; he earned a college football scholarship to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout attended Drake University until he was drafted during World War II and served his country with pride as a member of the U.S. Army; upon being discharged from military service, he attended Illinois State University, where he earned a bachelor's and master's degree; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout married JoAnn Sterling in 1951; they were parents to children Jerry and Nancy and grandparents to seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout began teaching and coaching in the small town of Fisher in 1951; he relocated to Woodstock in 1954, where he taught science, served as an assistant football, basketball, and track coach, and volunteered in a variety of other roles until well beyond his retirement from the classroom in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout earned the name "Bio Bud" for instilling a love and respect for biology and science in the students he taught; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout continued to volunteer and coach after retirement, eventually serving as an assistant football coach under five coaches, including Bob Bradshaw who brought the Woodstock Blue Streaks their first state championship in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout volunteered for over 50 years as the scorekeeper for countless wrestling matches at the high school; he also lined the football field and taped ankles for athletes; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout volunteered in the activities department at the Valley Hi Nursing Home in McHenry County two mornings each week for over 20 years, adapting activities so that all Valley Hi residents, including those in wheelchairs, could participate in a variety of fun activities; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after his retirement, a special award was established in Bud Swartout's name to honor senior student athletes who participated in three sports during each of their four years of high school; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, the COACHES Scholarship (Competition, Optimism, Attitude, Citizenship, Honesty, Effort and Sportsmanship) bearing Bud Swartout's name was created and continues to be awarded annually to the student athlete who most exemplifies the pillars of character taught by Bud in the classroom and on the athletic playing field; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout was elected to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association in 1995 and the Woodstock High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996; the press box on the Woodstock High School football field is named in his honor; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the District 200 Education Foundation presented its first-ever Award of Excellence to Bud Swartout for exemplary service to the students of Woodstock School District 200; and

WHEREAS, Bud Swartout lived an exemplary life filled with positive energy, a competitive spirit, enthusiasm, and kindness which had a positive impact on the lives of thousands of students over six decades through service to youth that spanned generations; and

WHEREAS, The surviving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Bud Swartout can be proud of the legacy and lasting impact their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had on the greater Woodstock community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harlow "Bud" Swartout Jr., 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 Bud Swartout as an expression of our appreciation of his service to District 200 children, and of our deepest sympathy.