HR0083 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0083 LRB102 10742 LAW 16071 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph A. "Joe" Terronez of Silvis, who passed away on January 2, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez was born in a boxcar in the Silvis yards to Benito and Felisa Anguiano Terronez on February 15, 1929; he attended Silvis public schools and graduated from United Township High School in 1947; he married Rebecca Herrera on November 6, 1948, and they had 8 children; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez worked as a repairman for the International Harvester Company in East Moline for 33 years; he retired in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez served the City of Silvis for 30 years; he was elected First Ward alderman to the Silvis City Council in 1963, and he served for 26 years; he then served as mayor for four years from 1989 to 1993; he was the first elected Hispanic mayor in the State of Illinois; during his tenure, he worked tirelessly to rename the 2nd Street in Silvis to Hero Street, USA and establish the Hero Street Memorial Park, a living memorial to the eight Mexican Americans from Hero Street who died during combat in World War II and Korea and all heroes from Silvis; he was dedicated to promoting Hero Street and honoring its heroes; he visited schools and libraries to teach students about Hero Street, sent copies of the Hero Street documentary to libraries and colleges across the country, and gifted copies of the documentary to visiting dignitaries; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Joseph Terronez was a member of several labor, political, civic, and religious organizations; he was a proud union member and leader of the United Auto Workers (UAW), where he served as union committeeman and played a part in securing better wages, job security, and insurance benefits for union members; he was loyal to the Democratic Party, and he mentored and assisted many Hispanics in winning elections to hold public office in the Quad Cities area; he proudly worked with veterans, and he was an honorary member of the Mexican American Veterans Association (MAVA) and the Hero Street Memorial Committee; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez received numerous honors and awards at the local, state, and national levels for his accomplishments in labor, politics, and community service, including the Civic Leadership Award in 1985 and the National Hispanic Hero Award presented at the United States Hispanic Annual Leadership Conference in Chicago in 1996; he was named Silvis Hometown Hero and Moonlight Parade Grand Marshal in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez was deeply committed to his faith and was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; he enjoyed watching sports, and he was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan; he also enjoyed participating in special family celebrations, attending his grandchildren's sporting events, visiting family, and walking through the city; he loved Silvis and was known for often saying his strength and pride came from Silvis; he will be deeply missed; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his sons, Lencho Terronez and Joseph Sebastian Terronez (infant); his daughter, Barbara Morrow; his sisters, Ezekia, Theresa Sierra, Gabriela Moreno, Jessie Vallejo, Mary Medina, Antonia Perez, and Angela Ayala; his brothers, Alvino Terronez and Guadalupe Terronez; and several in-laws; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez is survived by his children, Darrell (Cindy) Terronez, Roberta Terronez, Rebecca Terronez, Mary Terronez, and Lydia (Javier) Riojas; his 13 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Bennie (Belin) Terronez; his sisters, Nellie Munos, Cruz Cervantes, and Delores (Richard) Esparza; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joseph A. "Joe" Terronez and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph Terronez as an expression of our deepest sympathy.