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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Arthur "Burt" Atkinson of Waukegan, who 
4passed away on May 25, 2017; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Arthur Atkinson was born in Lake Forest to Alfred 
6Fred Atkinson and Frances Bray on August 28, 1939; he graduated 
7from Waukegan High School and married Donna G. Clifton in 
8January of 1966; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Arthur Atkinson spent time early in his life 
10working around Lake Michigan and local communities; during the 
11late 1950s and 1960s, he worked at the Outboard Marine 
12Corporation in the engineering race group as a boat builder, 
13eventually turning his love for the water into a career as a 
14professional fisherman; after transitioning to fishing, he 
15spent time with Falcon Marine in the early 1970s and was  a 
16captain on Lake Michigan for nearly 50 years; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Starting in the Fall of 1980, Arthur Atkinson 
18served as an advisor to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, 
19overseeing the fisheries restoration of the Great Lakes; he and 
20wife, Donna, are most known for the Atkinson Boat House during 
21the 1970s; known as "the Admiral", he  was one of the early 
22captains to begin charter fishing out of Waukegan Harbor and 
 
 
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1ultimately built a business from it, expanding into commercial 
2fishing shortly thereafter; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Arthur Atkinson enjoyed his time as an early 
4member (#104) and contributor to the Waukegan Yacht Club; he 
5contributed to the club via multiple roles over the years, 
6including commodore; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Arthur Atkinson is survived by his wife, Donna, 
8and his sons, Arthur and David; therefore, be it
  
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
11Arthur "Burt" Atkinson, and extend our sincere condolences to 
12his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
13further
  
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to  the family of  Arthur Atkinson as an expression of 
16our deepest sympathy.