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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois 
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learned with sadness of the death of Reverend Robert E. 
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McLaughlin on Monday, January 24, 2005; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Robert McLaughlin grew up on Chicago's West Side, 
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the son John and Mary McLaughlin; the Chicago Cubs fan attended 
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St. Frances of Rome Catholic School in Cicero before continuing 
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his studies at Quigley Seminary North and St. Mary of the Lake 
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Seminary in Mundelein; he was ordained in 1966; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Reverend McLaughlin went on to receive a master's 
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degree in speech and communications at Northwestern University 
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in 1971; he later honed his leadership skills after receiving a 
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master's degree in organizational development at Loyola 
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University in 1987; and
 
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    WHEREAS, While serving as an associate pastor at Holy Name 
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Cathedral between 1966 and 1976, he taught religion and 
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communications to Quigley students; he later served as an 
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associate pastor at Mater Christi Parish in North Riverside and 
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as pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Chicago; he was 
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appointed rector-president of Niles College of Loyola 
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University in 1984; the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin 
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appointed him as pastor of Holy Name Cathedral in 1990, where 
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he served until 2002; he had nearly 40 years of service in the 
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Archdiocese of Chicago; he was the Pastor of Mary, Seat of 
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Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Reverend McLaughlin was known for his crimson 
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hair, "leprechaun" grin, and Irish tenor voice; he was an avid 
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golfer and had a magnetic personality; people loved him; he was 
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dubbed "little brother" because of his short stature and was 
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dedicated to spreading the church's message to the young and 
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old, and when he was at odds with his colleagues at the 
 


 






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Archdiocese of Chicago, he wasn't afraid to speak his mind; in 
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the 1970s, Father McLaughlin was president of the Association 
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of Chicago Priests, a group of several hundred clergy that 
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clashed with Cardinal John Cody over school closings and other 
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issues; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The passing of Reverend Robert E. McLaughlin has 
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been deeply felt by many, especially his brothers John P. 
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(Mariana) and Reverend Edward J.; his sister-in-law, Carol; his 
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14 nieces and nephews; and his many friends;  he was preceded in 
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death by his parents, and his brother, Thomas; therefore, be it 
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
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Reverend Robert E. McLaughlin, and we extend our deepest 
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sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
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him; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to his family as an expression of our sincerest 
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condolences.