SR0173 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0173 LRB098 11339 MST 42776 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Suzy Yehl Marta of Palatine; and

WHEREAS, Suzy Marta was the founder of Rainbows for All Children, an organization dedicated to helping children struggling with divorce or the death of a parent; over the course of the past 30 years it has grown into a worldwide movement; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1983, Rainbows for All Children, with the aid of parent volunteers, launched weekend retreats for grieving youths through Suzy Marta's church and the Chicago Archdiocese drawing more than 800 children in the first 3 years; Suzy Marta named the program after rainbows to reflect the promise of life after one comes through the storm of hurt and grief; and

WHEREAS, Rainbows for All Children is now in all 50 states and 18 countries and has helped more than 2.7 million children since its inception; and

WHEREAS, Silver Linings, a crisis response program, was designed by Suzy Marta and other Rainbows for All Children staff to be used after a community or large-scale disaster; over 600 copies were distributed after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and thousands after Hurricane Katrina; they were even translated into Japanese and used after the tsunami; and

WHEREAS, Suzy Marta is survived by her son, Tim Yehl; her husband, Martin; her children, Michael Yehl, Thomas (Donna) Yehl, Timothy (Katherine) Yehl, Peter (Nihal) Marta, David Marta, and Kathryn Marta; and her 8 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, That we mourn the passing of Suzy Marta, and we extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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