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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Senate marks with profound sadness the passing 
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of Mr. William P.  "Bill" Wozniak, who gave his life as a 
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Secretary of State security guard at the Capitol in 
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Springfield, Illinois, on September 20, 2004; and 

 
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    WHEREAS, An outgoing man whose friendly manner was keenly 
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appreciated by Capitol workers and visitors alike, Mr. Wozniak 
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served as a State House security guard for the past 18 years; 
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and 

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Wozniak was born on June 29, 1953, in Detroit, 
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Michigan, the youngest of 6 children of William and Anna Laura 
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Gillmore Wozniak, and after attending Detroit schools he was 
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employed in public works there until he visited relatives in 
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Petersburg, Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He made Petersburg his home, and before becoming a 
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State employee he worked for Fiat Allis-Chalmers and performed 
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as Yogi Bear at the Jellystone Campground; and 
 
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    WHEREAS, In 1986, Mr. Wozniak  married Sheila Wilkin in 
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Springfield, and together they shared the joys and challenges 
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of raising 2  wonderful children, Marc and Megan; his devotion 
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to his family was exceeded only by the pride and pleasure he 
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took in their accomplishments; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Wozniak's generous nature, coupled with his 
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vast aptitude for nearly all things mechanical, earned him a 
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reputation as a friend who would help tackle projects involving 
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anything from cars to plumbing; and

 
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    WHEREAS, During his career with the State, Mr. Wozniak 
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displayed a professional competence and an affability towards 
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his colleagues that won the respect of all who  had the honor of 
 


 






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working with him; and 
 
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    WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure at the Capitol, Mr. Wozniak 
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received commendations for his adept handling of dangerous and 
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volatile situations, and numerous State House visitors wrote 
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letters praising his skill as a tour guide and his willingness 
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to lend any possible assistance; and 
 
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    WHEREAS, As a Capitol security guard, Mr. Wozniak presented 
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to visitors from around the globe the friendly, well-informed, 
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and respectful demeanor that every public servant in Illinois 
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strives to express; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we note with great 
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sorrow the death of Mr. William P.  "Bill" Wozniak, whose 
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sacrifice on behalf of the citizens of this State as a 
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Secretary of State security guard is cherished most deeply 
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because of the quality and character of his life; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we convey our heartfelt sympathy to the 
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family and friends of Mr. William  P. "Bill" Wozniak, hoping 
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that they take comfort in the knowledge that he was a highly 
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esteemed public servant whose dedication to his work and 
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devotion to his loved ones shall long inspire the grateful 
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people of Illinois; and be it further


 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Mr. William  P. "Bill" Wozniak, in 
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tribute to the memory of their outstanding loved one.