SR1185 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1185 LRB098 21197 MST 59135 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The member of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael Eugene Collins of Normal, who passed away on April 2, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Michael Collins graduated from Normal Community High School in 2010 and was a senior at Illinois State University, majoring in Exercise Science; he played baseball for 2 seasons at Heartland Community College and was an assistant baseball coach at University High School under his father, Jim; and

WHEREAS, Michael Collins had numerous baseball accomplishments; they included playing second base for Heartland Community College when the Hawks finished 3rd in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series in 2012, being named an Academic All-American in 2012, and being a member of the first Heartland Community College team to advance to the NJCAA World Series in 2011; he was a middle infielder and pitcher for Normal West when they won back-to-back Big 12 championships in 2009 and 2010; he was selected to the Illinois Coaches Association and Pantagraph All-Star games in 2010 and was a member of the Big 12 All-Academic team in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Michael Collins's favorite baseball memories were winning 2 consecutive Region 24 championships while at Heartland, hitting a home run in the NJCAA World Series, and receiving a phone call from his mom that his dad had won a 2012 State championship at University High School; and

WHEREAS, Michael Collins enjoyed golfing, working out, watching episodes of Seinfeld, and spending time with his 2 dogs; and

WHEREAS, Michael Collins was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Donald E. Presley, and a paternal grandmother, Lois E. Collins; and

WHEREAS, Michael Collins is survived by his parents, Jim and Kelly Collins; one brother, Jimmy Collins; paternal grandmother, Betty A. Presley; paternal grandfather, James L. Collins; one maternal uncle, Terry (Sandy) Presley; 2 paternal aunts, Susan Albee and Sharon (Kevin) Rutledge; a paternal uncle, Jeff (Jane) Collins; many beloved cousins including Eric (Alycia) Stark, Adam (Kacy) Stark, Sara Stark, Katie (Austin) Myers, Kyle Rutledge, Tristin (Ken) Duffy, Carter Collins, Samantha Collins, Brian Wright, Christina (Mark) Frederick, Sarah (Nick) Riordan, Jon Albee, Josh Albee, Joanna Willet, and Jason Albee; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Michael Eugene Collins, 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 Michael Collins as an expression of our deepest sympathy.