Bill Text: IL HR0506 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the death of Terrence L. Barnich of Chicago.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2009-05-31 - Resolution Adopted [HR0506 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HR0506-Introduced.html

---

HR0506 LRB096 13213 GRL 27845 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Terrence
L. Barnich of Chicago, who was killed on May 25, 2009 while
serving his country as Deputy Director of the Iraq Transition
Assistance Office; and
WHEREAS, Despite a highly successful career in State
government and the private sector, Terry Barnich chose to
devote much of his time and energy in recent years to the
valiant effort to bring democracy to the people of Iraq,
serving at great personal sacrifice and ultimately giving his
life to advance the cause of peace and democracy in the region;
and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich arrived in Iraq in the tumultuous
early days of the surge led by General David Petraeus and
remained in the country, taking a leave from his duties as
Chief Executive Office of New Paradigm Resources Group in order
to pursue his mission in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich went to Iraq following a
distinguished career in the public sector, which included
serving as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission from
1989 to 1993; and

HR0506 - 2 - LRB096 13213 GRL 27845 r
WHEREAS, Prior to his service on the Illinois Commerce
Commission, Terry Barnich served as General Counsel to Governor
James Thompson, where he provided a wide array of legal advice
to the Governor, his staff, and various cabinet directors; he
also lent his expertise in analyzing and drafting legislation,
executive orders, and administrative review; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich's lifelong commitment to justice
was at the heart of his service when, as counsel to the
Governor in the 1980s, he gained a high public profile
assisting in the investigation of an alleged rapist, which
eventually led to the exoneration of the individual on the
basis of DNA evidence and a commutation of the sentence by the
Governor; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his government service, Terry Barnich
worked as an associate of the law firm of McDermott, Will &
Emery from 1979 to 1983 and at Rudnick & Wolfe from 1983 to
1984, where he concentrated in the practice of commercial
litigation; and
WHEREAS, After his service with Illinois government, Terry
Barnich was hired by the Bell Atlantic Corporation to lead its
national strategy for securing the necessary 48-state
regulatory approvals of its proposed merger with the TCI cable

HR0506 - 3 - LRB096 13213 GRL 27845 r
company; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich then formed a consulting practice in
Chicago - New Paradigm Resources Group, Inc. - which
concentrated on providing regulatory, public policy, and
competitive strategic planning advice to companies operating
in formerly regulated industries, such as the retail energy and
telecommunications fields; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich has been widely published on a
variety of utility and political topics, in such journals as
The Wall Street Journal, the Journal of Commerce, Public
Utilities Fortnightly, The Washington Times, and the Chicago
Tribune; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich grew up in Chicago's Hegewisch
community and graduated from Washington High School; he earned
his bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in
Washington, D.C. and his law degree from Fordham University in
New York City; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich is survived by his mother, Genevieve
Ketel; his brother, Bruce Barnich; his sister, Rochelle
Barnich; and his many friends around the world; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich's commitment to the greater good is

HR0506 - 4 - LRB096 13213 GRL 27845 r
reflected in the comments of friends and former colleagues,
upon learning of his death; former Illinois Governor James
Thompson, for whom he worked as chief legal counsel, said "It's
not often you find people who are experienced and know how to
make things work, but also have a sense of public service and
the obligation of citizenry. He had both."; former Treasurer
Judy Baar Topinka, for whom he served as campaign manager for
her 2006 gubernatorial bid, said "He wanted to make the world
and everything around him better."; his friend and former
Baghdad colleague, Philip O'Connor, said "He fought his battles
with a briefcase and a computer... he was a true patriot and
hero..."; and
WHEREAS, A large and diverse universe of friends and
colleagues are left with innumerable memories of Terry
Barnich's camaraderie, quick wit, self-effacing and irreverent
sense of humor, and ability to bring an element of fun to even
the most serious and stressful situation; and
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich is fondly remembered as a true
patriot who was committed to his mission of reconstructing the
physical, economic, and intellectual infrastructure of Iraq
with an unrelenting focus on the goals of spreading democracy,
improving world peace, and relieving the suffering of the
people of Iraq; and

HR0506 - 5 - LRB096 13213 GRL 27845 r
WHEREAS, Terry Barnich's legacy will endure as his friends
and colleagues throughout the world, despite their grief and
sadness, recommit themselves to follow their passions, embrace
the importance of public service, and live life courageously;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
mourn the passing of Terry Barnich and his service to the State
of Illinois, the United States of America, and the citizens of
the world, while at the same time celebrating his legacy of
quiet, hard-working leadership and commitment to the greater
good; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family and friends of Terry Barnich with our
sincere sympathies and our abiding respect, admiration, and
love for a great man who was doing great things.