HR1407 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1407 LRB096 23644 KXB 43024 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Matthew Edward Ryan of Joliet, who passed away on September 13, 2010; and

WHEREAS, From 2004 until his passing, Matthew Ryan served as Chief of Staff for Will County Executive Larry Walsh; he also worked closely with the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Economic Development, the Rialto Square Theatre, Easter Seals, Cornerstone Services, the 911 Board, and the Joliet Development Arsenal Authority; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Ryan became active in politics in his teens when his uncle ran for city treasurer in Alton in 1972; he managed his uncle's reelection as city treasurer in 1977; he also helped develop the winning strategy for Paul Lenz's reelection as Mayor of Alton after Lenz was disqualified from the ballot because of petition deficiencies; at the time, the election was one of the largest write-in victories for a city of Alton's size; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, Matthew Ryan served as an area coordinator for David Robinson, who ran against Paul Findley for the 20th Congressional seat; the campaign staff for the Robinson team included David Wilhelm, Rahm Emanuel, and Forrest Claypool; and

WHEREAS, In 1982, Matthew Ryan joined Senate President Phil Rock's staff; he was elected as President of the Illinois Young Democrats in 1984; he managed the successful campaign of United States Representative George Sangmeister in 1992; he signed on with the Paul Vallas for Governor campaign as campaign manager in 2001, with the State-wide campaign resulting in the closest Democratic primary race in more than 25 years despite being outspent 3-1 by an incumbent Democratic Congressman; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Ryan and his wife, Angela Welsh, met at the State capitol and were married in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Matthew Ryan is survived by his wife, Angela; his parents, Robert and Mary Jane (Yenny) Ryan; his sisters, Susan (Jim) Martin and Kathleen (Dave) Lang; and his nieces, Anne Martin, Tess Martin, and Leslie Lang; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Matthew Ryan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Matthew Ryan as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.