SR0701 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0701 LRB101 13785 MST 63157 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former United States Representative Paul Findley of Jacksonville, who passed away on August 9, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley was born in Jacksonville to Joseph Stillwell Findley and Florence Nichols Findley on June 23, 1921; he attended Jacksonville High School and Illinois College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1943; following his graduation, he served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley met his wife, Lucille Gemme Findley, while both were stationed on the island of Guam; following the end of the war, they moved to Washington, D.C., where he started working as a journalist; he and his family then moved to Pittsfield, where he became the president of Pike Press; in 1960, he was elected to serve in the 87th United States Congress, a position to which he was re-elected for 11 terms; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley represented the 20th Congressional District of Illinois and was a strong advocate for peace and cultural awareness; he was an advocate for Civil Rights, an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, and a primary author of the 1973 War Powers Act; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley served on the Agricultural and Foreign Affairs Committees and was known for his support of family farmers; he was an advocate for engagement with the Arab world, particularly Palestine; he was proud and humbled to serve the same district as President Abraham Lincoln; he was honored as a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy and considered the transfer of the Abraham Lincoln Home in Springfield to the National Parks Service one of his greatest achievements as a congressman; following his service in Congress, he continued to support agricultural development and was actively involved in foreign policy as an author and lecturer; he also worked with the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, the Council for the National Interest, and the Council for American Islamic Relations; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club International, and the Jacksonville Literary Union; he was an alumnus of Illinois College and his literary society, Phi Alpha; until his mid-80s, he was a daily tennis player and an avowed ice cream enthusiast, a tradition he passed to his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley always supported his children and grandchildren in pursuing higher education and was delighted to witness the marriage of all four of his grandchildren and to meet each of his great-grandchildren; he was kind and gracious, welcoming any and all into his home for coffee and conversation; he believed in treating all people with dignity and respect and was driven by a curiosity to understand the experiences and perspectives of others; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille; his parents; and his siblings, Ruth, William, and Miriam; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Findley is survived by his sister, Barbara Findley Stuart; his son, Craig (Karyl) Findley; his daughter, Diane (Thomas McLaughlin) Findley; his grandchildren, Andrew (Grace) Findley, Cameron (Laura) McLaughlin, Henry (Katie) McLaughlin, and Elizabeth (Anthony Vicha) Findley; and his great-grandchildren, Dominic and Samuel Findley (Andrew) and Lillian and Vienne McLaughlin (Cameron); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former United States Representative Paul Findley 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 Rep. Findley as an expression of our deepest sympathy.