"The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Assistant Pastor of the Victory Temple Church in Springfield. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"Let us pray, as we lift up our hearts and our mind before His sovereign throne. Most gracious and most sovereign God, our Creator, and the Author, and the Finisher of our faith. Bless us as we patiently wait on You, for we realize that we can do nothing without You. For it is in You that we have all of our being. It is in You that we move. Empower us this day with Your great and gracious power. Lead us with Your spirit and advise us with Your great counsel. This we do kindly, and humbly ask in Your Son's name. Amen."
Speaker Madigan: "We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Hartke."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Madigan: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Dart and Kenner are excused today."
"Mr. Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that all the Republicans are present today."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 116 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk." 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002
Clerk Rossi: "Committee Reports. Representative Morrow, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-Public Safety, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Monday, November 18, 2002, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 6306. Rules Committee Report. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on November 19, 2002, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'to the floor for consideration' a Motion to accept the Amendatory Veto on House Bill 2, a Motion to accept the Amendatory Veto on House Bill 2271, a Motion to accept the Amendatory Veto on House Bill 4074, a Motion to accept the Amendatory Veto on House Bill 4179, a Motion to accept the Amendatory Veto on House Bill 4938, a Motion to accept the Amendatory Veto on House Bill 5610; and approve for consideration referred to the Order of Senate Bills-Third Reading, Senate Bill 980. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 1066, offered by Representative Flowers, is assigned to the Rules Committee. Supplemental Calendar #1 is being distributed."
Speaker Madigan: "The Chair would like to offer its congratulations to Minority Leader-elect, Tom Cross. Tom Cross. Mr. Burke, Mr. Burke. Did you wish to move your Motion on House Bill 5610? So, the Gentleman moves to accept the Amendatory Veto on House Bill 5610. Mr. Burke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is the Segway legislation. I think, for those Members who were here in the last Session, discussion ensued with respect to the use of this device, whether they'd be permitted on streets or roadways. And the fact is, through this Amendatory Veto it further 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 ensures that every local unit of government will have the authority... continue to have the authority to regulate these devices either to permit or restrict or license in any fashion that they deem appropriate. So, I would ask for the Body's favorable consideration and ask that we accept the Governor's Amendatory Veto on House Bill 5610."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman moves to accept the Governor's Amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Yes. Representative, in those areas of the state that are not incorporated, this would not apply. So therefore, would the underlying Bill tell a community in my district that is not incorporated that if a person buys a Segway in that small community that person would then have the ability to run that Segway on any sidewalk, street, or appurtenance that... that the might exist within that unincorporated village or town."
"I am advised, Mr. Black, that this Governor's Amendatory Veto would address your concern and even in areas that are unincorporated, they would not have the right to use the device unless there were granting authority."
"Who would grant such said authority?"
"Well, in you're unincorporated, how many village... You talkin' about a village..."
"Sure."
"... unincorporated village. That village would have to step in and permit..."
"Okay. Even though it has no legal entity because it is not incorporated. It has no city government, has no council." 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002
"I'm given to understand in this Amendatory Veto language that this controls that and it says that those villages indeed have the authority now..."
"All right."
"... even though they are not Home Rule."
"In the case... Let me pursue this. Under current law and this has come up in my district on more than one occasion, someone who is partially disabled may buy a used golf cart to get around a small town. In fact, a few summers ago there was an enterprising older gentleman who would put soda pop, ice cream bars in a cooler, drive around this town of about 15 hundred people and sell them to supplement his income. And when he would take that golf cart, if you will, across a street, particularly a state highway, goes right through this town, the State Police ticketed him and said you could not do that. Would the State Police have jurisdiction in a city that was... that had no village government? Could come in and go through that town and say, excuse me, under existing law that is not a device that you can use to cross a state highway or to go down a street, since there's no city government that would regulate its activity?"
"I would say more than likely, yes. Because as you know in other instances the State Law would come into play and indeed..."
"Okay."
"... there would be a violation..."
"All right."
"... if there was nothing else to control."
"One final question and I know you've worked on this a great deal and my concern at the time was that we may be rushing something that was not yet proven and I don't know 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 how many of these things will eventually be whizzing up and down the sidewalks of Michigan Avenue in this joyful holiday season. But I do think the Amendatory Veto has given some protection in that they can be regulated by municipalities. But I know a question I'm gonna get when I go home, does this give a Segway more rights to be used on city sidewalks, highways, boulevards than an elderly citizen with a golf cart, for example? Would the golf cart fall under a similar regulation?"
"Representative, I think if you reflect on our debate, and our discussion previous, it's never been my intention or the inventor's intention to take anyone's rights away or to grant extra privilege to those that would decide to purchase this device. And I think, again, in the Governor's wisdom and in offering this veto language, we have additionally ensured that again where there is Home Rules, where is there... where there is municipal authority, they may take the steps to restrict or grant or prohibit the device altogether. And I guess again, with the Governor's language, even in those areas that don't have immediate local control, the state would say it would have to be granted specifically. So, it is not our intention to grant special rights to anyone that would decide to transport themselves on this device and I'd say again, it's not anything special that we are looking for in this legislation."
"Okay. Thank you very much, Representative. Mr. Speaker, to the Motion."
"Mr. Black."
"Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To the Motion. I commend the Sponsor for accepting the Governor's Amendatory language. I do think that this certainly 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 provides local entities, local government entities with the ability to make the decision as to whether or not they want this new transportation device going up and down their sidewalks. I think that gives a measure of local control while this device is new. At least with this language, local units of government will retain some measure of control over what devices are, in fact, allowed to be utilized on their sidewalks, boulevards, et cetera. So, I commend the Gentleman for accepting the Amendatory language and would urge my colleagues to vote 'aye'."
"Mr. Parke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield? Representative, on the language, now is this for any taxing body in the State of Illinois that has jurisdiction? Would that be a school district? Would it be a cemetery district? Any of those can out... then pass a Resolution or statute saying that they outlaw this? Excuse me?"
"Representative, I would have to get clarification on that, but it's... I believe it's certainly not the intention in this language to give those entities that do not normally regulate the operation of motorized vehicles or any other licensure additional authority to regulate this particular device."
"So, anybody that has statutory authority now will continue to keep it, but will not add to it. So, therefore, a school district, a cemetery district of a township normally does not have that authority, so therefore they would not be granted it now?"
"I would have to say, yes."
"Is that your intent?"
"That is my intent, certainly."
"Now that it's been amended, it's been on... the 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 Amendatory Veto has been proposed for a long time, has anybody come to you and said that they now oppose your legislation?"
"Not one soul has indicated their opposition to this."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Burke to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, reflecting on previous debate, and previous discussion with respect to this issue, I would again, encourage my colleagues to accept the Governor's Amendatory language and ensure that this device is not going to be given any extra special privilege in our state and simply insist to you that each local entity of government would be entitled to restrict, to regulate, or license in any way they deem fit. And I would encourage everyone's support for this Amendatory Veto."
"The question is, 'Shall the House accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change with respect to House Bill 5610?' This is final action. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Motion having received the required Constitutional Majority, the House does accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change, and this Bill is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of Senate Bill 980?"
"Senate Bill 980 is on the Order of Supplemental Calendar, Senate Bills-Third Reading."
"Mr. Clerk, put that Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Representative Coulson, do you wish to do House Bill 2271? Representative Coulson."
"Move to accept the Governor's Amendatory Veto on House 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 Bill 2271."
"Proceed."
"The Amendatory Veto is agreed by the City of Chicago. It protects the public to make sure that massage therapists would be licensed throughout the time period that we're setting up our state licensure through the Department of Professional Regulation. And I can answer any questions."
Speaker Madigan: "The Lady moves to accept the Governor's Amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Parke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, how does this Amendatory Veto make the Bill better, in your opinion, or does it... are you just accepting it or do you have reservations about the Amendatory Veto?"
"No, it was an agreed Amendatory Veto because there was some concern about the timing of the regulations. Currently, massage therapy businesses are regulated by most villages or city ordinances and we wanted to make the timing appropriate so that you would not have massage therapists practicing without a license at any time. So, we fixed the dates in it and now, there's... there should not be any time in the year that they're not licensed."
"Representative, I've been contacted by one of my local municipal governments and they had a... they had a question about it, so maybe you can answer it for me. Is this more acceptable to the municipal conference by virtue of this Amendatory Veto or do they have... a more of a concern now?"
"They have not contacted me. This should be more acceptable to them because it gives them a little more time to work on their ordinance. They can continue to license 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 the massage establishment or the business. What this does is license the actual therapist, the massage therapist, who's practicing throughout the state. So, as they move from business to business, they are also licensed rather than having someone be able to walk off the street and give a massage in any massage business. So, what this Amendatory Veto should do is help those municipalities who already have ordinances in place to be able to change their ordinance to still continue to look at their massage business licensure, but to accept the fact that massage therapists would have a consistent licensure throughout the state."
"Okay. And it does not... does, in fact, keeps the licensure so they... everybody must be licensed by the State of Illinois."
"Yes."
"But the local jurisdiction still has some authority over that... business?"
"Over the business, not the licensed professional."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, in the language, the Governor's language, I have some concerns about the language. Beginning on January 1, 2004, no Home Rule unit may regulate or license massage therapists. Now, how inclusive is that language? Does this mean that my Home Rule City of Danville cannot regulate the location of such a facility, the hours of operation or does it simply mean that we can't regulate the hours of practice or inspect? I mean, I don't want this to 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 be so inclusive that a ho... we've fought many of these battles on this floor over the last 17 years on this very topic. Now, the Governor's adding language that says, very clearly, January 1, 2004, no Home Rule unit may regulate or license massage therapists. What am I who... what am I to conclude the definition of 'regulate' is?"
"The key here is that it... they can't regulate or license the therapist. That is the person, not the business. The person will be licensed under State Law and they will have to meet certain standards as to... devised in the law. The Home Rule community can still regulate hours, they can regulate the place of business, the placement of the business. All that they can regulate in any business establishment like a spa or a beauty parlor or a barber shop, they can still do for the massage therapy business. The only thing this Bill does is regulate who can call themselves a massage therapist and who can have a state license to be a professional massage therapist."
"So, the word 'regulate' then should not be construed as saying that if the... if the local authorities feel that inappropriate activities are taking place in a licensed massage therapist's business, it would not preclude the local authorities from, in fact, closing said business. Correct?"
"Absolutely not. And actually, that's why we did this Bill in the first place because there were so many problems in so many municipalities across the state. We wanted to be able to regulate the people who do the massages, as well as to allow the cities or municipalities to regulate where and how and when those massages occur."
"Has the... Had the language been developed as to what will be required to be licensed as a massage therapist or 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 is that still in the..."
"In the..."
"... the work in progress?"
"No, in the underlying Bill, there is a lot of recommendation... not recomme... requirements for the amount of education and when the rules and regulations will be developed, the actual detail will also be in... put in place."
"So, what... what, in fact, would be licensed? Would their hands be licensed or just their whole training be licensed?"
"Their... It's basically the educational standards that people must meet in order to achieve a massage therapy license just as in any other professional regulation licensure Bill. It follows most of those very closely: educational standards, background, et cetera."
"Is there currently a recognized or accredited educational curricula to turn out a massage therapist?"
"Yes, there are."
"So, if I go somewhere and study under the maharishi and come back and say I have apprenticed under the maharishi then I neces... I wouldn't necessarily be qualified as a licensed massage therapist?"
"Not unless you meet the standards as set up in this Act."
"Okay. But thank you."
"Representative Coulson to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to accept the Amendatory Veto and I would urge an 'aye' vote."
Speaker Madigan: "The Lady moves that the House accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change with respect to House Bill 2271. Those in favor signify by voting 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Has Mr. Hartke voted? Has Representative Flowers voted? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 96 'ayes', 20 'noes'. This Motion, having received the required Constitutional Majority, the House accepts the Governor's specific recommendations for change, and this Bill is hereby declared passed. The Chair recognizes Mr. Poe for the purpose of an announcement."
"Yeah. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I want to take great privilege today in introducing Calvary Academy here from in Springfield. The teacher is Mr. Veeson and they're up here in the gallery. And let's give 'em a big welcome from the Illinois House."
"Mr. Tom Johnson on House Bill 2058."
"Yes. Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, I move to override the Governor's Amendatory Veto."
"Mr. Johnson."
"Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, as you all well know, this is a Bill that we've had before us, I think, on three or four separate occasions now. And this is the antiterrorism Bill that was worked out... gee, I think it was in last spring's Session following the attack of 9-11. The underlying Bill here, the antiterrorism Bill, was one that was worked and reworked with participation of all of the people on both sides of the aisles as well as state's attorneys, ACLU and the rest and I think it is a very, very good Bill based upon the votes that you all gave to it in the past. As you know, the Governor has done an Amendatory Veto by linking 25 different death penalty reform provisions out of the 85 suggested to this Bill. It's my opinion that those issues being linked are 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 improper, would probably make the Bill unconstitutional and need to be dealt with in a separate Bill. And so therefore, I ask for your support in overriding the Governor's Veto. Thank you."
"The Gentleman moves to override the Governor's Veto. The Chair recognizes Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. I rise in opposition to the Gentleman's Motion. The Governor properly, in my view, said in his Amendatory Veto that it is not sensible, it is not rational, it is not responsible, it is not reasonable to add another factor for crimes that could result in the imposition of the death penalty before the cleanup problems with the imposition of the death penalty across the board. We know that in the state 13 people on death row were freed because they were exonerated of any guilt whatsoever in the crimes in which they were convicted. We know that at the same time 12 people... 12 people were sent to death. I think that it does not speak well of us as a sane society to pile on one more, one more, one more aggravating factor that could lead someone to death row until we make sure that the procedures that we have in place in the criminal justice system could give us and the citizens we represent some security that the people who are on death row actually belong there. I think the Governor's Amendatory revisions make sense and I think it would be nonsense for us to establish one more death penalty provision before we have reformed the way we impose that sentence on people convicted of crime in the State of Illinois. I urge your 'no' vote."
"Is there any further discussion? Mr. Johnson to close."
"Yes. In closing, I would just like to comment on the 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 past speaker's remarks and I appreciate her remarks greatly. As you know and I think our Governor needs to be congratulated on bringing the problems of the death penalty forward as he has. We've all had many hearings on this. I do believe it's time for this Body to act on reforms and hopefully, we will see a Bill even in this... this Veto Session that will hopefully come to grips with a number of the reforms that have come out of the various task forces. Once again, I reiterate that I believe that it's improper that those reforms and just the specific ones that he's added to this Bill are inappropriately attached to the antiterrorism Bill. It's time we get this Bill on the books as the rest of the states have done and move forward on the other issues. Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Johnson moves to override the Governor. The question is, 'Shall House Bill 2058 pass, the Veto of the Governor notwithstanding?' This Motion requires 71 votes. This is final action. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Has Mr. Schoenberg voted? Has Mr. Schoenberg voted? Has Mr. Schoenberg voted? The Clerk shall take the record. This Motion, having received the required Three-fifths Majority, the Motion to Override prevails and House Bill 2058 is declared passed, notwithstanding the Governor's Veto . Mr. Black."
"Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Since we seem to be at a momentary lull in the proceedings, an inquiry of the Chair. It's a..."
"State your in... State..."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. It's been five months since I've seen you. I just want you to know that you look wonderful. I take it the summer was good. I thought maybe 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 you could tell us, what have you been up to since we left here in June? A little vacation or..."
"Right. Sure."
"It's kind of like the first day of school. Maybe you could tell us what you did last summer."
"My life has been full."
"So, you... I take it you were busy?"
"Just a little bit."
"Practice a little law?"
"No."
"Oh."
"Not too much."
"Did you... did you look at any maps over the summer, planning a vacation?"
"Mr. Clerk, House Joint Resolution 87. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're preparing to adjourn. This Resolution concerns a death. The Chair would ask the Members to be in their chairs and we would ask the staff to retire to the rear of the chamber. So, if the Members would please be in their chairs."
Clerk Rossi: "House Joint Resolution 87 offered by Speaker Madigan. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 87 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly wish to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Roman C. Pucinski, who passed away on September 25, 2002; and WHEREAS, Lovingly known as "Pooch"..."
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Clerk, Mr. Clerk. If the Members could please be in their chairs. Mr. Lyons. Mr. Clerk."
"WHEREAS, Lovingly known as "Pooch" to colleagues 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 and friends, Mr. Pucinski served in the U.S. House from 1959 to 1973 and as a Chicago alderman from 1973 until 1991; throughout his career, he was a key representative for Chicago in Congress and for Chicago's Polish community; and WHEREAS, Roman Pucinski grew up in a heavily Polish neighborhood that is now Wicker Park; his youth was shaped by his father's abandonment of his mother and siblings when he was a child and by the Depression in his pre-teen years when he wore government-issued shoes; he helped his mother Lidia, later a personality on a radio station he owned, support their family by selling Magic Washer soap to local grocery stores and chocolate to office workers after school; and WHEREAS, Articulate and never at a loss for words, Mr. Pucinski had an early interest in public affairs; in January 1939, while still a student at Northwestern University, he became a reporter for the Chicago Times, a predecessor of the Chicago Sun-Times; he later attended John Marshall Law School but never took the bar exam because he was too busy covering the 1948 presidential election; and WHEREAS, Mr. Pucinski joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, where he became a captain and served as a bombardier in the first B-29 bomb raid on Tokyo in 1944 and later flew 49 bombing missions over Japan; back with the newspaper after the war, he became a City Hall reporter, a job that exposed him to opportunities in politics; and WHEREAS, Mr. Pucinski was brought to Washington in 1952, where he served one year as a bilingual chief investigator for a special House subcommittee investigating the Katyn Forest massacre of thousands of Polish military officers by the Soviets during the 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 war; and WHEREAS, Urged by Mayor Richard J. Daley to run for Congress, Mr. Pucinski entered the 11th District race on the City's Far Northwest Side in 1956 and lost to the incumbent, Timothy Sheehan; he ran again in 1958 and won; during his tenure, he was known as the hardest working member of the Illinois congressional delegation; Lyndon B. Johnson, who served with Mr. Pucinski when Mr. Johnson was Senate majority leader, described him as "the workhorse"; and WHEREAS, Mr. Pucinski said his proudest achievement in Congress was sponsoring legislation fostering public education, a field in which he was considered an expert; the legislation gave Chicago schools $30 million in 1970 and guaranteed them $38 million the next year; and WHEREAS, Mr. Pucinski also championed airline safety while in Congress, something for which he was honored many years later; on December 18, 1999, he was cited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for his role as a freshman congressman in 1959 when he pressured the government to require cockpit voice recorders in all airplanes that carry at least six passengers; the FAA awarded him the agency's Silver Medal of Distinguished Service during a ceremony in the Polish Museum of America; and WHEREAS, After seven terms in Congress, Mr. Pucinski gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Charles Percy in November 1972; after the election, he was appointed alderman of the 41st Ward, where he championed the real people of Chicago, working men and women, families struggling to get by and new immigrants hungry for a fresh start; he served the residents of the City's Far Northwest Side for 18 years as alderman until 1991; and 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 WHEREAS, Mr. Pucinski ran a strong race in the 1977 Democratic mayoral primary, but his main opponent, incumbent Michael Bilandic, who became mayor after Richard J. Daley died in December 1976, won the nomination in a six-way Democratic primary and was elected mayor; during the race, Mr. Pucinski vowed to decentralize the public school system and give each school its own budget; he wanted to combat school segregation by establishing reading centers on racially neutral ground; and WHEREAS, Mr. Pucinski had been the longtime president of the Illinois Division of the Polish American Congress, and he led a number of rallies in Chicago protesting communism in Poland; he supported Poland's Solidarity labor movement, and over the years he helped to raise $1.5 million as the movement gained international prominence; and WHEREAS, Roman Pucinski's first wife, Aurelia, who preceded him in death in April 1983, was the vice president and general manager of the Pucinskis' family-owned radio station WEDC-AM 1240; he later married Elizabeth Simpson, a dean at the University of Wisconsin and an award-winning poet; she preceded him in death in 1990; and WHEREAS, Roman Pucinski was the proud father of son, Christopher Pucinski and daughter, Aurelia Pucinski, director of the State Department of Professional Regulation; devoted brother to Wesley Pucinski and Halina Pawl; and grandfather to Rebecca, Elizabeth Anne and James C. Keithley; he was also a dear friend to many in the local, State, and national political arena; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn, along with all who knew him, the passing of 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 Roman C. Pucinski of Chicago; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Roman C. Pucinski with our heartfelt condolences."
"Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. We honor today the memory of a man who devoted his entire adult life to service to the public, service to the citizens. He began as a journalist, he moved into World War II where he served in combat the people of this country. He then went on to a seven-term career in Congress, where he stood up for working people, where he stood up for the values that all of us care about. Some would say it was the capstone of his career when he moved from Congress to the job of alderman in the City of Chicago, he served with distinction in that capacity as well. 'Pooch' was the kind of person who was always accessible, accessible not just to his constituents but to the broader public, accessible always to the media, having been a member thereof himself. He was an articulate voice for the values of the people he represented in Congress and in the ward, people who care about opportunities for working men and women, who care about the values of working families across America. His legacy is a solid legacy, a sound legacy and an important one. We do extend our condolences to his family, and I would hope you would note with me that one of his legacies, his daughter, Aurelia Pucinski has devoted her life to public service as well. Currently, she serves us as the Director of the State Department of Professional Regulation and she's with us in the gallery this afternoon. So, I would ask all the Members of the House to join me as Sponsors of House Joint Resolution 87 in memory of a man 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 who gave his all for all of us. And I would move for adoption of the Resolution."
"Representative Capparelli."
"I, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I probably know Roman Pucinski longer than most of you in this audience. I was there the first time he ran in 1952 for alderman... I mean, ran for Congressman. At a later date he ran also for alderman, and he dubbed the 41st Ward as the 'suburb in the city'. He was a fierce fighter for labor and for the people of his community and he will be missed there for a long time."
"Mr. Lyons." Lyons, J.: "Thank you, Speaker. I grew up in the shadow of Roman Pucinski, as a little boy growing up in the northwest side. He was my Congressman, it would seem all my life, in grade school and through high school. I remember, Rory, when he actually sent out his... one of his things to his district, he actually sent, 'a key to my office in Washington', one of the things that he did just to remind people that he didn't forget his neighborhood on the northwest side, he sent out a little key, which I think I probably still have, you have the key to my office, I'm always here, I'm always available to you. One of those things as a young person being affected in politics how you remember that. I also remember 1972, which was a horrible year for Democrats. Roman ran for the Senate and my cousin Tom was on the same ticket for Attorney General and working so hard for the two of them to get beat so bad, and those losses are lessons to be learned about life, and about reality, and about working for a cause you believe in but it's not always coming out on the winning side. So, to the Pucinski family, my heartfelt condolences. What a man, 46 flights 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 144th Legislative Day November 19, 2002 as a bombardier over Japan. Every day is a gift, Roman lived it in his life. Thank you, Speaker."
Speaker Madigan: "The question is, 'Shall the House adopt House Joint Resolution 87?' Those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed by saying 'no'. The Resolution is adopted. Representative Currie moves that the House stand adjourned until tomorrow at 1 p.m. Those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed by saying 'no'. The House does stand adjourned until 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon." 21