SR0704 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0704 LRB101 13559 ALS 62457 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Daniel William Escalona of Oak Park, who passed away on April 12, 2019 at the age of 25; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Escalona attended Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he was a detail-oriented sports editor for the school's Trapeze newspaper and a valued member of the Spoken Word Club; during his time with Spoken Word, he mentored others as a captain and participated in all 12 showcases; he later graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in journalism; Professor Stephanie Craft, the head of the Department of Journalism, noted that Daniel was "one of the best students I've ever had"; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Escalona began his career in sports journalism during high school as an intern at the Wednesday Journal, where he immediately impressed his supervisors and peers with his writing abilities; according to former editor Brad Spencer, his copy was "not only clean but written with enthusiasm"; he later wrote opinion pieces on diverse topics ranging from the call to ban plastic straws to immigrants' access to public services and benefits that were published in the Chicago Tribune; and

WHEREAS, Despite being diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of four, Daniel Escalona defied many expectations; he was known for his dry sense of humor and was very optimistic, hopeful, and positive; he played goalie on a local soccer team, conducted interviews of the subjects he covered, despite physical challenges, and set goals for himself, including reading the classic novels; before his death, he had decided to read Moby Dick, as the hard parts interested him most of all; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Escalona was preceded in death by his grandfather, William Boyter; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Escalona is survived by his parents, Julio Alejandro Escalona and Margaret Boyter Escalona; his sister, Isabela; his grandmothers, Delia Maldonado Ortiz and Bernice Boyter; his aunt, Janet (E.J.) Boyter; his uncles, William and Robert (Gordana) Boyter; his cousins, Kevin Boyter, Martina (Juan Carlos) Olivo Torres, and Matea Boyter; his many family members in Mexico; and his many friends; 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 Daniel William Escalona 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 Daniel Escalona as an expression of our deepest sympathy.