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1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of David
4 "Dave" Dowling of Belleville, who passed away on June 24,
5 2024; and
6 WHEREAS, Dave Dowling, the son of Albert and Hazel (Grage)
7 Dowling, was born in Mitchell, South Dakota on June 25, 1948;
8 and
9 WHEREAS, Dave Dowling served as a labor union activist for
10 United Steelworkers of America (USWA) for over 50 years,
11 during which he advocated for workers' rights and working
12 families while striving for fairness, justice, and equality in
13 the workplace; he began his employment at Granite City Steel
14 on November 18, 1973, becoming shop steward in 1978 before
15 progressing to serving as a grievance committeeman; through
16 USWA Local Union 67, he was elected as recording secretary; he
17 was then elected as president in 1982, a position he held until
18 1997; he proceeded to accept a staff position with USW
19 International in 1999, being named director of USWA
20 Sub-District 2 shortly thereafter; and
21 WHEREAS, Dave Dowling served as director of USWA
22 Sub-District 2 for over 20 years; during his tenure, he served
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1 as a leader, a mentor, and an advocate; he championed
2 education to benefit local union leaders and members in a
3 number of ways, including training seminars and guest speaker
4 events; he was also instrumental in the creation of the
5 Sub-District 2 Golf Tournament, an event that raises funds
6 towards providing a scholarship to a graduating child of a
7 member from the sub district; until his retirement in February
8 2021, he never wavered in serving union members and their
9 families with dedication and distinction, carrying his passion
10 to every arbitration case and contract negotiation; and
11 WHEREAS, Dave Dowling enjoyed researching labor history in
12 Southern Illinois and genealogy; he also enjoyed gardening,
13 horseback riding, general wildlife, photography, biking, and
14 listening to folk music; and
15 WHEREAS, Dave Dowling was a true giant among union
16 activists and an exemplary scholar of labor history; he will
17 be remembered as a wonderful and loving husband, a dedicated
18 father, and an overall family man; and
19 WHEREAS, Dave Dowling was preceded in death by his
20 parents; and
21 WHEREAS, Dave Dowling is survived by his wife of 40 years,
22 Genie Dowling; his daughters, Sarah Dowling and Kaitlyn (Jacob
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1 Douglas) Dowling; his brother, Michael (Barbara) Dowling; his
2 sisters-in-law, Debra Williamson and Tina Williamson; and his
3 nieces, Leah (Blake) Davis and Megan Dowling; therefore, be it
4 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5 HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6 we mourn the passing of David "Dave" Dowling and extend our
7 sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
8 and loved him; and be it further
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