[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MEMORY OF GEORGE P. SHADID

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2018

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of retired 
State Senator George P. Shadid, of Peoria, Illinois, who devoted his 
life to serving his community and the State of Illinois. George left us 
on February 3rd, and will be greatly missed by family, friends, former 
colleagues, and his community.
  George was born on May 15, 1929 to Edna Massad Shadid and Philip A. 
Shadid; one of nine children born to the proud Lebanese immigrants. On 
May 30, 1953, George married Lorraine K. Unes. They had two children, 
George Jr., who sadly passed away in 2005, and James, who currently 
serves as chief U.S. District Judge for central Illinois. George and 
Lorraine were also blessed with four grandchildren.
  Throughout his life, George embodied the role of a true public 
servant, dedicating his life to serving others. He started his long 
career in public service as a police officer for the Peoria Police 
Department. After serving in that capacity for twenty-three years, in 
1976 he was elected Sheriff of Peoria County. In 1993, George was 
appointed to serve as State Senator of the 46th District of Illinois, 
representing Peoria, Tazewell and Fulton counties. In the Senate, 
George became lifelong friends with then State Senator Barack Obama. He 
retired from the Senate in 2006. He was a mentor and friend to many, 
and was admired by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He will be 
remembered for his great sense of humor, his honesty, and his 
commitment to finding commonsense, bipartisan solutions with the goal 
of bettering his community and the State of Illinois.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally recognize the late George 
Shadid on his extraordinary work and service to the State of Illinois. 
I am grateful for George's contributions to our community, and my 
condolences are with his loved ones at this difficult time. It is 
because of dedicated and selfless leaders such as former Senator Shadid 
that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional 
District.

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