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HR 503

MEMORIAL-SISTER JEAN SCHMIDT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Kam Buckner and 10 co-sponsors

Illinois memorial resolution mourning Sister Jean Schmidt, honoring her life as a BVM, Loyola Chicago chaplain and educator, and extending condolences to her family and community.

Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 503

Summary — H.R. 503 (titled “MEMORIAL — SISTER JEAN SCHMIDT”)

Note up front: the public record provided appears to contain two distinct, merged resolution texts from different jurisdictions: (1) a Georgia House of Representatives resolution recognizing the retirement of Delane Roberts, and (2) an Illinois House of Representatives memorial resolution mourning the death and commemorating the life of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt (BVM) of Loyola University Chicago. The procedural actions and sponsor lists also appear mixed (Illinois House actions alongside numerous U.S. House names). Below is a clear, objective summary that separates the two subjects, highlights the bill’s purpose and key provisions, and calls out the data inconsistency.

Primary purpose(s)

  • Illinois portion (title “MEMORIAL — SISTER JEAN SCHMIDT”): To mourn the passing and commemorate the life, service, and legacy of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt (Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), iconic chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team, and to offer condolences to her family and community.
  • Georgia portion (separate resolution text found in the file): To recognize and commend Delane Roberts on the occasion of her retirement after 32 years of service to the Georgia House of Representatives.

Key provisions and content

Illinois (Sister Jean):
- Recites Sister Jean’s biography: born Aug 21, 1919; entered BVM in 1937; longtime educator and chaplain to Loyola men’s basketball (notably visible during 2018 NCAA Final Four run).
- Notes community programs she started (e.g., SMILE) and honors received (e.g., Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame, Sword of Loyola, Apostolic Blessing, civic proclamations).
- Expresses the House’s mourning, extends condolences to family and BVM community, and directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the family.

Georgia (Delane Roberts):
- Recognizes Roberts’ 32 years of dedicated service to the Georgia House (career beginning Jan 1, 1993), including 12 years as Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee Assistant.
- Congratulates her on retirement effective Jan 1, 2025, and directs that a copy of the resolution be made available to her.

Common attributes of both:
- Solely honorary/memorial in nature — no regulatory changes, appropriations, or enforceable legal obligations.
- Typical resolution language of commendation, mourning, and direction to provide a copy of the resolution to designees.

Who is affected

  • Primarily symbolic: family members, religious and university communities (Loyola University Chicago, the BVM), colleagues and staff in the Georgia House (for the Delane Roberts text), and constituents who value these public servants.
  • No direct impact on public policy, budgets, or third-party legal rights.

Procedural status and timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced: January 16, 2025 (file shows referral to a House Judiciary committee).
  • House actions: read, adopted, rules suspended, reported enrolled; later placed on Calendar Agreed Resolutions and adopted on October 16, 2025.
  • Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (Illinois).
  • Multiple co-sponsorship additions noted on October 16, 2025, including Chief Co-Sponsors Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Robyn Gabel, and Kam Buckner.

Important caveat / recommendation

The supplied document mixes text and metadata from at least two different resolutions (Georgia and Illinois) and includes a long list of sponsors that appears to combine state and federal names. For authoritative status and final text, consult the official legislative website of the relevant body:
- Illinois General Assembly (House) for the Sister Jean memorial resolution.
- Georgia General Assembly (House) for the Delane Roberts recognition resolution.
This will confirm the exact text, sponsors, and final disposition in each chamber.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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