HR0781 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0781 LRB093 21681 HSS 49348 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Harold J. Leisch of Danville on being the recipient of the 2004 AMBUCS First Citizen Award; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Leisch was born in 1913 in a log cabin at the corner of Bowman Avenue and Vorhees Street in Danville; he attended school in Danville, graduating in 1931; he married Norma in 1934 and they have been married for 70 years; they are parents to 3, grandparents to 9, and great-grandparents to 9; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Leisch was employed at the Newport Munitions Plant; following the war, he was employed at Penry's Furniture Store, then at Leath's Furniture Store; his dedication to his employers kept him employed for many years until he retired in early 1984; he was an outstanding salesman and former customers have high regard for him; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Leisch and his wife formed a committee in 1982 to build the Korean-Vietnam Memorial; in 1988, they were involved in building the World War II Monument, and in 1992, they were involved in the first Women's Memorial built in the United States; he and his wife have been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 728 and the American Legion Post 210 for their involvement in building the war monuments along Hazel Street in Danville; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Leisch was awarded the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for his efforts to ensure Vermilion County veterans were remembered and honored for their sacrifices; in honor of his work, November 21, 2000 was proclaimed Harold Leisch Day in Danville; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Leisch and his wife were involved in saving the former Carnegie Library for the War Museum in Vermilion County and are charter members of the Vermilion County War Museum Society, where Mr. Leisch has served as an elected board member since 1998; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Leisch is known in the Danville area as "The Can Man"; he and his wife have collected over $180,000 worth of aluminum cans at drop locations that Mr. Leisch built and distributed all over Danville; the money has helped to pay for the 3 monuments, flags for the monuments, and monthly electrical bills; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Harold J. Leisch of Danville on being the recipient of the 2004 AMBUCS First Citizen Award; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Leisch as an expression of our deepest respect and esteem.