SR1047 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1047 LRB103 40807 ECR 73687 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Raymond Joseph Smith of Chicago, who passed away on January 18, 2024 at the age of 92; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith had a one-of-a-kind personality and was the first to achieve many things over the course of his storied life; he was the first person to earn a tennis scholarship from the University of Notre Dame and was even voted into Notre Dame's Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith received a scholarship from Northwestern Law School and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Corps; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith's army career continued his love for tennis when he represented the United States at the Wimbledon qualification, the main event in both Barcelona and Rome, and in Class A at Roland Garros; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith also met his wife, Lore Stoffel, while serving in the military; they had two children together, Chris and Leslie, who were the pride and joy of both their lives; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith's life work was as a trial lawyer, and he maintained that no other profession interested him; his time as a trial lawyer took many turns, but it always involved his relentless dedication; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith's time as an Assistant United States Attorney during the 1960s included a case involving Red Donovan, the right-hand man of Jimmy Hoffa, former head of the Teamsters; for his work on this case, he and his co-counsel were congratulated in Chicago by United States Attorney General Robert Kennedy; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith never lost sight of his dedication to helping people in need; even after leaving the U.S. Attorney's office, he continued his career by serving people as an ex-officio federal public defender without compensation; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith's forward thinking ideas were also centered around a deep appreciation for the city that raised him, but no love was stronger than the love he showed his wife, children, and grandchildren, all of whom filled him with pride; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Smith is survived by his children and his grandchildren, Emily, Max, Ian, and Sasha; 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 Raymond Joseph Smith 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 Raymond Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.