PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) The regular Session of the 94th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Monsignor David Lantz, Christ the King Church, here in Springfield, Illinois. Monsignor.
(Prayer by the Reverend Monsignor David Lantz)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Shadid will lead us in the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Shadid)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Madam Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal, please.
Senate Journal of Thursday, February 2, 2006.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move that the Journal just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Senator Hunter moves to -- to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objections, so ordered. For all Members within the sound of my voice, we’d ask them to come to the Floor immediately. We will be doing 2nd Readings and a few 3rd Readings, which will be final passage. Senator Axley, nice to see you. All Members within the sound of my voice, please come to the Floor immediately. We will be doing Floor action. Senator Geo-Karis, for what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I am 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 very happy to have with me, sitting with me, two people who are very competent in -- in home health care services, Catherine Cabotaje and her husband, Rodante. C-A-B-O-T-A-J-E. And they’re from Streamwood, Illinois, and I believe that’s Senator Rauschenberger’s area.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests please rise? And welcome to Springfield. Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Madam Secretary, Resolutions, please.
Senate Resolution 602, offered by Senator Shadid and all Members. Senate Resolution 603, offered by Senator Emil Jones, Senator Watson and all Members. Senate Resolutions -- 604 through 616, all offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 617, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. Senate Resolution 618, also offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. Senate Resolution 619, offered by Senator Emil Jones and all Members. Senate Resolution 620, offered by Senator -- Senators Rutherford and Brady and all Members. They’re all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
And Senate Joint Resolution 68 {sic} (73), offered by Senator Risinger. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) For the purposes of an announcement. For the purposes of an announcement: All members of the Rules Committee will be asked, please come to the Floor. The Rules Committee will be meeting momentarily in the President’s Anteroom. Please, all members of the Rules Committee please report to the Floor. Madam Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 House Bill 4302, offered by Senator Ronen. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 4462, offered by Senator Demuzio. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 4699, offered by Senator Axley. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Ladies and Gentlemen, for purposes of an announcement. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the President’s Anteroom. All members of the Rules Committee please report to the Anteroom immediately. Thank you. Senator Halvorson, for what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
For an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement.
I would like the record to reflect that Senator Meeks is out of -- not here in Session. He’s attending the Coretta Scott King funeral. And Senator Clayborne is in his district doing business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Majority Leader. The record will so -- so reflect that. For the purposes of an announcement: We’re just going to stand at ease for just a second. We’re having a little audio problem. We’re going to be correcting it. We’ll be going to doing legislation, doing Floor action, in just a minute. My friend and colleague, Senator John Sullivan. For what purposes do you rise, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
As most of you know, today is 4-H Day here in Springfield, and I have some 4-H’ers from my Senate district here and I’d just like to introduce ‘em. Some 4-H students from McDonough County are up in the gallery and -- and their parents and leaders. And 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 I’d just like to welcome them and all the 4-H’ers here to Springfield today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests in the galleries please rise and be recognized? Welcome to Springfield. Senator Cronin, for what purposes do you rise, sir?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Senator DeLeo - Mr. President, I’m delighted to introduce to you a wonderful young lady who’s seated in my chair here. Emily Laffey is from Glen Ellyn and she is actively involved in the 4-H in Glen Ellyn, which means to a lot of folks that this is not just a downstate, rural thing. This is very much an important program in the suburbs. Emily has excelled greatly in it and she’s joined here by her mother, Sharon. Let’s give her a Senate welcome. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Demuzio, for what purpose you seek recognition, ma’am?
Yes, for a point of -- personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please -- please state your point.
Yes. Thank you. It’s my honor today to have a group of 4-H leaders and their -- and their guests here from Morgan County. I would like to ask the 4-H leaders and their -- their young men and women to stand from Morgan County. They’re in the back…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests please rise and be recognized? And welcome to the Senate. Senator Dahl, for what purpose you rise, sir?
Matter of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 With us today in the -- in the gallery back up here, we have some 4-H folks from LaSalle County, Grundy County, Bureau County.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests please rise and be recognized? And welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Senator Forby, for what purpose do you seek recognition, sir?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Today I have a Page with me. He’s Josh Harp. He’s from my hometown. He has one brother. He’s in the eighth grade. He was here and liked -- he liked it so well last year, he’s back again this year. So, let’s give him a nice hand.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Welcome on your return back to the Illinois State Senate. Madam Secretary, Committee Reports, please.
Senator Viverito, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Re-refer from Insurance Committee to Rules Committee - Senate Bill 2911; refer to Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2885; refer to Environment and Energy Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2333 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2807; refer to Executive Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2277, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2310, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2454 and Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2592; refer to Health and Human Services Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2237, Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2381, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2448, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2782 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3010; refer to Judiciary Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2197, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2391 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3018; refer to Labor Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2339; refer to Licensed Activities Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2292, Committee 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2297; refer to Local Government Committee - Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 2615; refer to Revenue Committee - Committee Amendment l to Senate Bill 2691; refer to State Government Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2639; refer to Transportation Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2283.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) All right, Ladies and Gentlemen, if you’d turn to page 2 of your Calendar, we’re about to proceed to 2nd -- Senate Bills 2nd Reading, on page 2 of your Calendar. We’ll go to the top of page 2, is -- is Senate Bill 2170. Senator Susan Garrett. Do you wish to proceed? Out of the record. Senate Bill 2191. Senator Collins. She indicates she wishes to proceed. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2191. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Has there been any Floor amendments? No. 3rd Reading. Senator Sandoval, on 2196, sir. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senator Crotty, on 2199. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2199. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Senator Demuzio, on Senate Bill 2204, ma’am. 2204. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2204. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on State Government adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Senator Munoz, on Senate Bill 2230. Out of the record. Senator Demuzio, on 2236. Out of the record. Senator Crotty, on Senate Bill 2257, ma’am. Out of the record. Senator Link, Terry Link, on Senate Bill 2305, sir. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2305. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Financial Institutions adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Senator Jacobs, on Senate Bill 2325. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2325. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Senator Peterson, on 2345, sir. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2345. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Senator Althoff, on 2456, ma’am. Senator Althoff, on 2456, ma’am. Please read the bill, Madam Secretary. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006
Senate Bill 2456. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on State Government adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. 3rd Reading. Senator Link, on 2495, sir. Madam Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2495. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Financial Institutions adopted Committee Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Has there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 3rd Reading. Senator Raoul, on 2510, sir. Out of the record. Senator Garrett, for what purposes are you seeking recognition, ma’am?
Thank you, Mr. President. For a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point.
I would like to welcome to the Senate Floor members of the Clever Clovers, also part of the big 4-H organization. They’re here from Des Plaines. I would like you to welcome Brenda Murphy, Rachel Murphy, Max Murphy and Maggie Evenson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests from Des Plaines, Illinois, please rise and 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 be recognized? And welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Mr. President, I rise, first of all, on a point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your point, sir.
Mr. President, I wish to call attention of the Senate to members of our 4-H Club from Edwardsville -- Edwardsville, Illinois. They’re up in the -- behind the Republican seats on the far -- on the far right. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please welcome the Edwardsville 4-H Club.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Would our guests please rise and be recognized? Welcome to the Illinois State Senate. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise a second time, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President, for a -- an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, the Insurance Committee will meet today at 1 p.m., in -- in Room 400. And in addition, Mr. President, if I could announce on behalf of Chairman James Clayborne, the Environment and Energy Committee will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, at 9 a.m., in Room 212. Thank you, sir.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you. Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose you rise, sir?
For an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement, sir.
The Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., in A-1, at the Stratton Building.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 Thank you very much. Senator Carol Ronen, for what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
Thank you, Mr. President. The Health and Human Services Committee will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m., in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Senator Martinez, what a pleasure to see you today.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) For what purpose do you rise, ma’am?
Thank you, Mr. President. It’s always a pleasure to see you, too. I rise for the purpose of an announcement - two announcements.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please -- please state your announcement, please.
The Housing/Community Affairs Committee will meet today at 2:30, in A-1, in the Stratton Building. And also the Committee on Pensions and Investments will also meet today at 4 o’clock, in Room 400.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. My friend and colleague, Senator Crotty, from the south side of Chicago, welcome. Do you have an -- for what purpose do you rise?
I want to say hi to Senator Cullerton, here. Local Government will be meeting today in the Stratton Building, A-1, at 1 o’clock. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Purposes of an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement, sir.
10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet today at 2:30, in Room 212.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Senator Garrett, a pleasure to see you. What purpose do you rise, ma’am?
For purpose of announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement.
The Senate Transportation meeting -- the Senate Transportation Committee will meet today at -- Room 400, at 2:30.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Senator del Valle. Senator del Valle, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
For an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement, sir.
The Senate Education Committee will meet in Room 212, at 1 o’clock.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Senator Wilhelmi, for what purpose you seek recognition, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. I’ve just been told that the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee will not be meeting tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. So a point of announcement to tell you that the Agriculture Committee will not be meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Okay. Once again, the Agriculture and Conservation to meet at -- Wednesday at 9 o’clock has been canceled. Thank you very much, sir. Senator Demuzio.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) For what purpose do you rise, ma’am? 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006
Thank you, Mr. President. For a -- for an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Please state your announcement, ma’am.
Yes. This is just to let all the Members know that there will be a brief organizational meeting of those interested in being on the board of directors of the Historic Preservation Legislative Caucus. That will be this evening at 5 p.m. at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. And I believe there is about sixty-some members that have expressed their interest and that will be tonight at 5.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? We’d ask all staff and guests retire to the rear of the Chamber. All Members please be in their seats. We are about to move to the Order of Resolutions - death resolutions. So, all staff return -- retire to the rear of the Chamber. Members please be in their seats. We’re about to go to death resolutions. Madam Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 603, offered by Senators Emil Jones, Watson and all Members. (Secretary reads SR No. 603)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Madam Secretary. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise, sir?
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the immediate suspension of the rules for immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolution 603.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Jones moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Resolutions 603. Those in favor will say Aye. Those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Jones now moves for the adoption of Senate Resolution 603. Is there any discussion? President Jones.
12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 Thank you, Mr. President. As I speak, the funeral services in Atlanta, Georgia, is currently being held for Coretta Scott King. Our colleague, Senator Meeks, went there to represent this Chamber at the -- at that funeral. You’ve heard all the talk in the media and the news about Coretta Scott King, but one thing that was not mentioned as much, not emphasis placed on it, during all the times during the Civil Rights struggle - the marches, the demonstrations, and things - she was that mother that protected those children. She was the mother to help keep those children well-grounded. She was the mother that lended the support to her late husband. But after his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King, it was she who picked up the banner and continued to struggle for justices -- for justice and rights in this country. She was the one who organized. She was the one who reached out and carried out his mission - carried out his dream for a true and just America. She was the one who was right there when the issue came up about the apartheid situation in South Africa. She was the one who reached out to many all across this nation, including the folks here in Illinois. She was the one who fought hard to see that Nelson Mandela was released from prison. She was the one who fought hard for housing and job discrimination. She fought hard to see to it that we have a fair and just system. So, being a mother and -- and raising four children during those times, especially during the sixties and the late fifties, and at the same time, lending that moral and public support to her husband - she was a remarkable lady. So, it give me great pleasure and great honor to have the opportunity to -- to join my colleagues, Senator Frank Watson and all of you, in -- in sponsoring this resolution from the State of Illinois. Illinois became the first state in the nation - the very first state - to recognize her late husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, to recognize him and give him a state holiday. It was here in Illinois by one of our colleagues and former Mayor of the City of Chicago, Harold Washington, who was the chief sponsor of that -- that legislation. So, Coretta Scott King had a profound impact on this nation as relate to what we are about, what we stand for. She was our front on the issues as it relate to -- to the war in Vietnam and to carry out the mission of her husband - the -- unjust war, the loss of lives of many American citizens. And 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 eventually we did pull out of that war, recognizing that it was a mistake. A woman who was not afraid to speak out, not afraid to go out into areas and go out on issues that were not always popular. Sometimes people say, “Oh, yeah, we with you, but this is not the right time.” But she was one who stood strong and I marvel at her for playing that role at the same time being a mother to her four children. So, Mr. President and Members of this august Chamber, I move for the immediate adoption and consideration of Senate Resolution 603.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senator Geo-Karis.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, although I did not know Mrs. King, I had the pleasure of meeting her many years ago. Speaking of a talented woman, she was it. She was a talented musician, to begin with. Came from a fine family, and just as our President of the Senate said, did so many wonderful things to help her husband and the cause of freedom. I might tell you that she was not only dignified, but she was very, very brilliant and she knew where to go and what to do. She was an unusual woman of her times, because I’ve always said behind every great man, there lies a great woman. A great woman she was and is in the history of this country, and I don’t think she’s had the credit to which she was entitled. Martin Luther King got the credit, but the one behind him, who pushed him to get things done, was Coretta Scott King - a remarkable woman, a brilliant woman, a talented woman and a woman for all ages for us to remember. God rest her soul. God bless their family.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. To close -- I’m sorry. Senator Jacqui Collins.
Thank you, Mr. President. For -- for all my colleagues, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I would be remiss if I did not stand up to say a few words in honor and in tribute to Coretta Scott King. I would not be standing here. I am a direct beneficiary of her sacrifice and her struggle to open the doors of opportunity that have allowed me to walk in and to serve in this very august Body. I just want to recognize her for 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 her dignity, her elegance and her grace. And I think as we look back over the sixties, the turbulent times of the sixties, there are three major widows that stand out, I think, for their ability to still instill hope into a nation that was in pain and was suffering. In 1963, it was Jacqueline Kennedy. In April of ’68, it was Coretta Scott King. And later in that same year of ’68, in June of ’68, it was Ethel Kennedy. I stand here today to celebrate their witness, their walk, their work. I stand here to celebrate for them being able to uphold the banner of hope and to be a voice of light and freedom. I ask for prayers for their family, for the children, that they go forth and they’re able to accept God’s will and to continue on the work and the purpose and the destiny of -- of the seed that was planted by Dr. King.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hendon, to close, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise and join President Jones and Leader Watson, Senator Geo-Karis and Senator Collins with the words they have to say today for a great woman. You know, often we don’t give much credit as much credit is due to our mates, whether be husband or wife - in this case the wife of a great man. The things she had to endure and put up with often go -- without honor. As President Jones said, she took care of the children when Dr. King was in jail, but she took care of the family. She kept them strong and she kept the Civil Rights family strong. But I always, when I get up on these occasions, I always have to say what’s on my heart and it bothers me that there’s still so much work to be done, even after her husband and now after she has gone on to heaven. There’s still so much to be done. There’s so much discrimination still in the world. There’s still war everywhere - war and rumors of war. When are we going to become a nation of peace? People who really strive for peace at every opportunity know it’s not always that we can get a peaceful conclusion to conflict. But, to me, we’re much too quick to draw the gun and do battle, drop bombs on innocent people, like we did in Vietnam. And we can look back now and say, “Well, those were some mistakes and we made some errors”, but we still do the same thing. Senator Raoul has a bill right now to tighten up racial profiling. In 2006, seem like we 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 71st Legislative Day 2/7/2006 wouldn’t have to do that. Seem like it would have been accomplished by now. So, having said that, I just join President Jones, Leader Watson and all Senators in this Chamber who salute the life of Coretta Scott King. May she lie in peace with her great husband and with God.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR DeLEO) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Resolution 603 be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. All those opposed will say Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, there being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on Wednesday, February 8th. Senate stands adjourned. 16