Resolution lauds tenure of retiring President Carey

The ISBA Board of Governors adopted the following resolution during its May 22 meeting in St. Louis.

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Whereas, Jack C. Carey served as the 132nd president of the Illinois State Bar Association in 2008-2009; and

Whereas, during his term in office, the Association took a leading role in the celebration of the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, including:

The commissioning of a bust by noted sculptor John McClarey, titled “Prairie Lawyer, Master of Us All,” which was presented to the people of Illinois from the lawyers of Illinois in a special session of the Illinois Supreme Court led by President Carey and other officers of the Association;

A lecture series featuring noted Lincoln scholars and historians, the first of which was held at the historic re-convening of the Illinois Supreme Court, sitting in the actual courtroom at the 5th District Appellate Court building in Mt. Vernon, where Abraham Lincoln had argued before the court, and the crowning event of that day being the unveiling of a Lincoln statue outside the courthouse;

The acquisition of the four-volume set, “The Papers of Abraham Lincoln,” containing selected legal documents and cases from his law practice, as a gift to each of the 102 counties of Illinois;

The presentation of numbered maquettes of the bust to each of the law schools of Illinois, and, along with a set of “The Papers of Abraham Lincoln,” to the American Bar Association president during the ABA Midyear Meeting in Boston for permanent display at the ABA museum in Chicago;

And other activities to draw the public’s attention to the fact that before Lincoln was a beloved president, he was an accomplished and highly respected lawyer practicing his craft across the state of Illinois; and,

Whereas, Jack Carey led the Association and its Assembly in making important policy decisions on matters facing the people of Illinois, such as whether the death penalty should continue to be part of the law of Illinois, and the question of whether prejudgment interest should be used in connection with the trial of actions at law or arbitration in Illinois; and

Whereas, under his leadership, the Illinois State Bar Association enhanced its standing as an advocate for the practicing bar, whether in legislative halls or in the courts of the state; and

Whereas, President Carey, through his untiring fulfillment of his role as emissary to local bar associations in Illinois, led a renewed effort by other members of the Board of Governors in reaching out to these associations in all parts of Illinois; and

Whereas, Jack Carey’s reputation in the practice of law and his prominent leadership position in the Illinois State Bar Association, culminated in May 2009 with his selection to deliver the commencement address and to be honored at the hooding ceremony of his alma mater, the St. Louis University School of Law;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Governors, on behalf of the 35,000 members of the Association, expresses its deep appreciation and admiration for the many years of dedicated service of Jack Carey, and further, that the Board pays special tribute to the elegant and graceful involvement of Ellen Carey in ceremonies of the Association.

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The Board of Governors also adopted a resolution of thanks to four retiring members for their time, energy, expertise and years of service. They are:

Past president Joseph G. Bisceglia, 2002-09; Richard D. Felice, Dennis J. Orsey and Kim E. Presbrey, 2003-09; Anita M. DeCarlo, 2006-09.