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312-578-9501 | www.shannonlawgroup.com NOVEMBER 2019
PHIL ENGLISH The Legend of Yakima
Phil English told me that he believed in me.
He gave me a D in chemistry. Call it tough love, but at the time, I was upset about it. You see, my chemistry teacher was Phil English, a first-year cross-country coach at Carroll High School in Yakima, Washington. Phil was an Irish national who graduated from Washington State University. He was a runner for the famed WSU running program. At the time, I thought I would get some preferential treatment because I was on the cross-country team and was running about 60 miles per week. I was running every morning before school and every afternoon, too. I was tired all the time. I learned pretty fast that this cat, Mr. English, was old- school. Nothing was given. Everything was earned. Phil English was the first coach I had who made me think big and inspired me to be a better person. Back then, I was a 16-year-old kid searching for an identity. I was a 5-foot-10-inch, 135-pound basketball player. I practiced two hours a day alone on the playgrounds after school. I was going nowhere fast and riding the pine in a team sport. I was a DNP-Coach’s Decision statistic.
Phil told me that if I worked hard, followed his instructions, believed in myself, and thought big, he would make sure I was successful. Trust me; no one on the planet other than Phil English believed I could be a
great athlete. Long story short, within 14 months, Phil English trained me to be the Washington State small school state champion in cross-country. Because of Phil English, I was offered a running scholarship to the University of Portland. I owe this old-school giant big time. At an early age, Phil taught me that we all use a small fraction of our God-given potential, and he taught this country rube to think bigger than I ever did before. I still use those lessons 40 years later. I know I still feel the pain of his crazy hard workouts we used to do in high school. Sam McManis wrote a book about the legend of Phil English and the breathtaking success he has had developing young men and women into tremendous athletes and disciplined people. It’s called “Running to Glory.” Phil English has been inspiring young people for 40 years in Yakima at Eisenhower High School. I wasn’t alone. About 150 of his athletes also earned athletic scholarships. If you call us, we will send you a free copy of “Running to Glory.” Do me a favor. Be like Phil. Make a difference in the life of someone you know and change their lives for the better.
Enter Phil English. In 1980, I turned out for cross-country my junior year to get in shape for basketball. After I hitched a few rides in the middle of long training runs, Phil English knew I was on the wrong path. Phil made a critical decision that changed my life. He asked me to change my life for the better. From my initial training runs, Phil could tell that this 16-year-old loner with a bad attitude had the potential to run 3 miles very fast. Phil sat me down, looked me in the eye, and told me something I will never forget.
– Joe Shannon
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THE SPORT THAT UNITED A COUNTRY THE 1995 RUGBY WORLD CUP
In early November, the 2019 Rugby World Cup will wrap up in Japan. The international competition brings out world-class athletes and entertainment. While matches are certainly intense, respect for the competition and for referees is a core tenet of rugby culture. After going head-to-head with an opponent, you’ll still shake hands, and maybe have a beer together, at the end of a match. This principle was on full display nearly 25 years ago at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in South Africa. The South African Springboks were up against the New Zealand All Blacks, and a number of factors made this an exceptional match. Just a few years earlier in 1991, apartheid legislation had been repealed in South Africa. The policy had left a deep cut, and the country still had a long journey toward healing and reparation. Nelson Mandela, who had been elected in 1994, was set on championing a “rainbow nation” in this new postapartheid era.
the game. It was controversial because of its connection to the architects of apartheid, but Mandela saw rugby’s potential as a symbol of hope and unity for a country that desperately needed it. Springboks captain Francois Pienaar (played by Matt Damon in “Invictus,” the film adaptation of this event) thought the president’s support of the team was a brilliant act. “During those six weeks, what happened in this country was incredible,” Pienaar said. Just before the final game that would decide the 1995 World Cup winners, Mandela sported a Springboks jersey and stood behind the team. Through a hard-fought match, South Africa came out on top, and, after receiving the trophy from President Mandela, Pienaar explained the atmosphere of the event: “When the final whistle blew, this country changed forever.” If the 1995 World Cup was any indication, the camaraderie inherent to rugby can transcend all kinds of barriers. Meet a fellow rugby player or fan in any part of the world, and you’ll likely forge an instant kinship. In 2021, you can look forward to cheering on the women’s teams during the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Rugby started in England in the late 1800s, and colonizers took it to South Africa, where South Africans of every color embraced
WHEN IN ROME ...
Sam and I recently traveled to Italy for our friend’s wedding. I had never been before and looked forward to exploring such a historically rich place. We started our journey in Rome, where I was fortunate enough to visit the Vatican Museums and see the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo’s masterpiece is truly stunning. Although crowded with tourists, museum personnel did a good job of keeping the chapel quiet to allow for a moment of reflection. Our first full day in Rome was a major highlight. Sam studied in Rome for a summer while in college, so it was fun visiting some of her favorite spots during our three days there. We went inside the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon to satisfy my taste for history. The Colosseum was especially interesting. From Rome, we took a train north to Florence, where we climbed over 400 steps to the top of the Duomo, a magnificent cathedral in the town’s center. The entire facade of the cathedral is made from classic Italian marble, making it one of the most unique looking buildings I have ever seen. From the top, once we caught our breath, we could see the edges of the city. On our last night in Florence, we tried making pasta. A very sweet Florentine lady did her best
to show me how to roll out the dough and cut perfect raviolis and pappardelle, but mine came out mostly mangled. We ate them anyway, after her cooks added some delicious sauces to mask my misshapen cuts. For the record, Sam’s pasta looked much prettier than mine. The wedding was on the Amalfi Coast, so we made our way down to the western coast of Italy for the last leg of our trip. Our first two nights were spent in Sorrento, the birthplace of my Uncle Giuseppe DeMarco. Thanks to his recommendations, we had two of the best meals of the trip. Sorrento is also known for its limoncello, which they seemed to hand out like candy in every store. Finally, we made it to Ravello, which required a ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi and a death- defying bus ride up the mountain from the coast. But the views alone were worth it. It’s a picturesque town and a perfect location for a wedding. We had a wonderful time at the ceremony and reception. Sam and I were so grateful for the invitation and the chance to travel to such a beautiful place. Arrivederci!
– Jon Svitak
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THE LATEST IN THE MONSANTO ROUNDUP LITIGATION
Since August 2018, juries have handed down three massive verdicts to people who alleged that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer product contributed to the development of their non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In just three cases, those California juries reached verdicts of more than $2.4 billion against Monsanto. Needless to say, Bayer — the German pharmaceutical giant that bought Monsanto mere months before the first verdict — has faced major problems.
In fact, a court in St. Louis scheduled the next Roundup trial to begin in the middle of October 2019. A couple of weeks before that trial, the court postponed the trial and set the case for status in February 2020. Many experts believe that the postponement was to allow Bayer and the plaintiffs more time to engage in settlement discussions. We keep a close eye on the federal MDL and any global settlement discussions with Bayer, as they will help us assess the value of our clients’ cases. We have already met with attorneys representing Bayer in St. Louis to discuss the breadth of potential exposure to their client. Beyond the constant influx of new lawsuits against Monsanto, Bayer also faces escalating pressure from local and national governments. Several European nations have already imposed restrictions on the use of glyphosate-based herbicides. At Shannon Law Group, we will make sure you remain up to date on what’s happening with Roundup on a global scale, as well as here in the United States. If you or a loved one has developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after exposure to weed killer products, please do not hesitate to contact our office to explore your options.
More than 18,500 plaintiffs have filed lawsuits alleging that Roundup was a substantial contributor to their non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In response to the massive amount of federal lawsuits, the federal court system established a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the district court in San Francisco. If you file your Roundup case in federal court in any state, you will be transferred to the MDL in San Francisco.
– Pat Cummings
However, that’s not your only option. Many cases, including several of ours, have been filed in state court in St. Louis, Missouri, the home state of Monsanto.
SUDOKU
NOVEMBER 2019 DATES OF CONSEQUENCE All Saints’ Day Johnny season basketball opener CYBT Tip-Off Classic Daylight saving time ends — turn back the clocks one hour Feast Day of St. Frances Cabrini — read up on this Chicago legend 98th birthday of Thomas Matthew Shannon Sr. — happy birthday, Dad! U.S. Naval Academy vs. Notre Dame football — go Irish and go Navy! NCAA Cross-Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN — go Pilots! (if qualified)
Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 3 Nov. 13 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 23
Nov. 23 Nov. 28
Feast Day of Blessed Miguel Pro — ¡Viva Cristo Rey! Thanksgiving Day — enjoy your families, everyone
Want something more in your life? Every Saturday morning, St. Joan of Arc Men’s Group meets from 7–8 a.m. in the St. Joan of Arc Parish Center in Lisle, IL. I invite you.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
page 1 page 2
The Legend of Yakima
The 1995 Rugby World Cup
page 2 page 3
When in Rome …
Monsanto Roundup Litigation Update
page 3 page 4
Sudoku
Save the Date!
COME CELEBRATE WITH US! You’re invited to Shannon Law Group’s 11th Annual Christmas Party!
Monday, December 30th 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Food and drinks will be provided. Everyone is welcome -- the more, the merrier!
Quigley’s Irish Pub 43 E. Jefferson Avenue Naperville, IL
We will once again be promoting two charities that are near and dear to our hearts: St. Vincent de Paul and St. Joan of Arc School’s Adopt-a-Student Fund. So mark your calendars! We want to thank you for your friendship and support over these last 11 years.
RSVP: Email Ashleigh at azurek@shannonlawgroup.com
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