[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6349]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO SENATOR STAN WEAVER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 17, 2003

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to honor one of the great sons of Illinois, Senator Stan 
Weaver, who after selflessly donating forty-five years of his life to 
the State of Illinois is retiring from public service. In 1957, he 
began a twelve-year tenure as the mayor of my hometown of Urbana, IL. 
Weaver was later elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 
1968, where he served one term before his election to the Illinois 
Senate in 1970.
  While Senator, Weaver served as chairman of the Senate Rules 
Committee and was a ranking member of the Senate Executive and 
Appropriations Committees as well as the Operations Commission. In 1997 
he served in the newly created position of Senate Majority Leader after 
serving as assistant Senate Leader for twenty-two years. As a lawmaker, 
Stan's priorities have always been those of the people of the 52nd 
District, including quality of education, agriculture and economic 
development. He has proven to be a strong advocate for the University 
of Illinois and has helped it become one of the most prestigious 
examples of higher education in the nation.
  Before entering public service, Stan Weaver graduated from Urbana 
public schools, attended Michigan State College, the University of 
Illinois, and graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science. 
During World War II, Stan admirably served his country in the Army Air 
Force in the Southwest Pacific Theater.
  In addition to his busy political career, Stan has found time to be a 
devoted father and grandfather to his son Blake, daughter Sherry, and 
to his two wonderful granddaughters, Lindsey and Jessica.
  Besides being his community's state senator, Stan Weaver is heavily 
involved in several public organizations. He is the past president of 
the Illinois Municipal League, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
and the American Legion, member of the Mohammed Temple and of the 
International Chili Society. He also belongs to the Masonic Lodge, 
where he earned the rare distinction of 33rd Degree Mason because of 
his long-time dedicated service.
  When Stan retires, his legacy to the State of Illinois will be one of 
quiet, effective leadership and commitment to the greater good. 
Whenever he rose to speak, people recognized his command of the issues, 
and colleagues from both political parties held him in the highest 
esteem. It has been my honor to know and serve with Senator Stan Weaver 
in the Illinois General Assembly. As the longest serving senator of his 
time, he will always be remembered as a powerful force in the Illinois 
Senate and his dedication to public service shall be sorely missed.

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