SR0603 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0603 LRB103 35328 MST 65383 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Patricia "Pat" Susan Giganti, who passed away on March 9, 2023 at the age of 77; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti was born to Samuel and Genevieve M. (Zock) Giganti in Springfield on April 11, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti entered public service at a young age, beginning to work for the State of Illinois within a few months of graduating high school; she worked for various agencies, including what is now the Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti was especially proud of her time working for Adlai Stevenson III during his tenure as treasurer, where she met and assisted the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson during the Operation Breadbasket protests at the Capitol in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1979, Pat Giganti worked in the Secretary of State Index Department before transferring to the House of Representatives, working for Representatives Daniel O'Brien, Taylor Pouncey, and more; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Pat Giganti began working for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus when she accepted a position to work for Senator Louis Viverito, serving in that role for nearly a decade; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti technically "retired" from the Illinois Senate in December 2004 but continued her service to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus for nearly two decades following her retirement, including as a legislative assistant to various senators from nearly every region of the State; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti's reputation as a staunch and sympathetic steward earned her the reputation of "trainer" of new senators, capable of assisting even the hardest of cases and making her both famous and infamous among members of the Senate Democratic Caucus; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti was known not to suffer fools lightly, and this made her a perfect gatekeeper for the entire Illinois Senate during the COVID-19 pandemic, when even the president of the chamber was briefly turned away; however, her immovability came to epitomize her commitment to protecting both her colleagues and the Illinois Senate itself; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti was known to many as firm but faithful and attentive yet affable; her character as a committed public servant and loyal ally earned her the trust and respect of all of her friends and colleagues in the Illinois Senate, from the most senior senator to the newest member of Illinois Senate staff, and she did it all with impeccable and unforgettable style; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti truly loved the Illinois Senate and served faithfully until two days prior to her passing; and

WHEREAS, Pat Giganti was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Samuel Giganti; and

WHEREAS, At the time of her passing, Pat Giganti was survived by her sons, Robert J. Giganti and Charles J. Lamsargis III; her special sons, Eric Strohl and John Creviston; her brother, Francis (Karen) Giganti; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Patricia "Pat" Susan Giganti and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the loss of Pat Giganti has left a huge hole in the Illinois Senate family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Pat Giganti as an expression of our deepest sympathy.