Bill Text: IL SR0272 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Richard A. Goodwin of Alton.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-06-22 - Resolution Adopted [SR0272 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-SR0272-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Richard A. Goodwin of Alton, who passed
away on June 13, 2011; and
WHEREAS, He attended Alton schools, graduating in 1964; he
participated in school sports through his sophomore year; in
high school, he played basketball for 2 seasons for the YMCA
Flyers, making it to the Final Four in 1964; in 1967, he was
injured while a passenger in an automobile accident in Alton;
he was paralyzed from the chest down and became a wheelchair
user; in 1969, he entered Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, where he earned a BA in American studies and an
MA in sociology; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, he lived and worked in St. Louis
for approximately 10 years; in 1985, he returned to Alton as
the founding executive director of IMPACT, a disability rights
and independent living organization; he was well-known as an
expert on the history and philosophy of the disability rights
and independent living movements, regularly providing training
around the State; his writings were used to help train
individuals from new disability right advocates to special
education students and professionals; and

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WHEREAS, He served as executive director of IMPACT until
2004; he remained as an adviser for a short period; during his
life he received many awards of recognition, including the
Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award, Ed Roberts
Independent Living Award, The Magic Award, Spirit of
Independence Award, and the Alton YWCA Man of Distinction
Award; his most proud moment came when being distinguished as
the 2010 Alton Halloween Parade Grand Marshal; and
WHEREAS, In retirement, he enjoyed time with his wife and
extended family, renewing old friendships and attending Alton
High School varsity basketball games; he downloaded hundreds of
music videos, created music videos for the AHS class of 1964,
and became a video blogger on living with colon cancer; he was
generally ready on short notice for lunch or dinner out,
driving his ramp-equipped van around Alton and, at different
times, driving to Florida, Cape Cod, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Tennessee, and other parts of the country; and
WHEREAS, On May 19, 1990, he married the former Jan Belt
Arnoldi at Main Street United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, George
and Ellen (Stone) Goodwin; and a sister, Viola Baehler; and
WHEREAS, Richard Goodwin is survived by his wife; his son,

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Troy (Julie) Arnoldi; his grandchildren, Brandon and Brooke
Beckerdite and Addison and Reagan Arnoldi; his brothers, George
(Verma) and Ron (Barbara); his sister, Jo Ann Huntsman; he
leaves many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family,
and dear friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
his family and friends, the passing of Richard Goodwin; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Richard Goodwin as a symbol of our
sincere sympathy.