SR0282 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0282 LRB100 11661 MST 22539 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Paul Stone of Sullivan, who passed away on February 11, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Paul Stone was born in Jasper County to Claude and Ruth Stewart Stone on September 21, 1915; he graduated from Sullivan Township High School in 1933; he married Thelma Jones in Benton on February 5, 1939 and graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in General Business in 1940; he received his law degree from the University of Illinois in 1942; and

WHEREAS, Paul Stone was admitted to the Illinois Bar on September 14, 1942 and practiced law in Sullivan for 55 years, retiring in 1998 as senior partner of Stone, Stone and Hanson; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, Paul Stone was elected as State Representative for the 24th District of the 67th General Assembly and served one term; and

WHEREAS, In 1961, Paul Stone was appointed by Governor Otto Kerner to the Teacher's College Board for Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, and Illinois State Universities; he served as Chairman from 1965 to 1966; during the 1994 Centennial Celebration of Eastern Illinois University, he was selected as a member of the Centennial 100, one hundred individuals who made a significant positive contribution to the life of Eastern Illinois University during its first century; he also served as a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Universities Civil Service Merit System, the Western Illinois University Foundation Board, and the Illinois State University Foundation Board; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, Paul Stone was again elected as a State Representative, this time for the 48th District; he was re-elected four times until retiring in 1976; he served on the Higher Education Committee during his 12 years in the House, serving as the committee minority spokesman in the 78th General Assembly and Vice-Chairman; he served as Chairman of the Democratic Conference in the 79th General Assembly; he received the 1967 Certificate of Merit from the Illinois Association of County Superintendent of Schools, the 1971 R.L. Kelly UAW CAP Council Social Justice Award, the 1971 Outstanding Legislator Award from the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, the 1972 Outstanding Legislator Award from the Young Democrats of Illinois, the 1974 Certificate of Appreciation from the John L. Kelly Chapter of the Credit Union National Association, the 1975 Commendation Award from the Illinois States Attorneys Association, and the 1975 Environmental Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Environmental Council; and

WHEREAS, Paul Stone was honored by the University of Illinois School of Law as its Alumni of the Month in February of 1973; in 1978, he was elected to a six-year term on the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, serving as Board President in 1981 and 1982; in 1988, he received a Special Recognition Award from the University of Illinois College of Medicine for his long-standing support of the College; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, Paul Stone was elected to the Sullivan High School (SHS) Hall of Fame; in 1989, at his 50th wedding anniversary, University of Illinois President Stanley Ikenberry presented he and his wife with a scholarship their family had established to be awarded to a graduate of SHS; in 1997, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Sullivan Community Education Foundation as one of its founders, its first chairman, and long-time board member; and

WHEREAS, Paul Stone was a member of the Sullivan First United Methodist Church for over 73 years; he was a member of the George A. Sentel Masonic Lodge, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the Elks and Moose Lodges, the American Judicature Society, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Academy of Political and Social Science; he served over 25 years as an Appeal Agent for the Local Selective Service Board; and

WHEREAS, Paul Stone was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 69 years, Thelma; his brothers, Guy and David; and his sisters, Hilda Pearson, and Rose Volkman; and

WHEREAS, Paul Stone is survived by his children, Elaine (Fred) Heavy, Paul Lee (Sandy) Stone, Michael (Vonnie) Stone, and Marsha (Jim) Daniel; his sister, Lola Horn; his brothers, Lloyd and Stephen Stone; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Paul Stone, 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 Paul Stone as an expression of our deepest sympathy.