SR0086 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0086 LRB095 10833 KXB 32485 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leo G. Lauzen of Aurora, who passed away on June 5, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Leo Lauzen was born on August 10, 1923 in Aberdeen, South Dakota; he moved to Aurora as a young boy after the death of his father; and

WHEREAS, Leo Lauzen graduated from East Aurora High School in 1943; after graduation he enlisted in the United States Army; he was a combat infantry squad leader and was awarded the Silver Battle Star during the only formal parade of the 83rd Combat Infantry Division; he earned a Bronze Star when he rescued 40 American soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge; he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return from World War II, Mr. Lauzen entered the University of Illinois on the G.I. Bill; he married and opened his own bookkeeping practice, exclusively serving small businesses; 17 years later he had 785 clients and the largest bookkeeping business catering to small businesses in the country; in 1969 he sold his business and began franchising his concepts and procedures; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lauzen opened Midwest Accounting with the money from selling his previous business, which grew into 150 offices around the Midwest; Midwest Accounting became known as the Comprehensive Accounting Corporation; he eventually employed over 350 people in the Aurora area and more than 20,000 small business clients around the country and in Puerto Rico; he sold the business to Sir Speedy, Inc., in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Leo Lauzen touched the lives of thousand of people; he received the Honorary Life Membership in the International Franchise Association, where he served as a member of the Board of Directors for 8 years and made lasting contributions to franchising; and

WHEREAS, He and his franchisees raised money for the National Easter Seals Telethon and served as the Official Tabulators for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Leo Lauzen is survived by his children, David, Illinois State Senator Chris Lauzen, Sarah, Martha, Leo II, and Laura Browning; his many grandchildren, his brother, Victor Lauzen; his sister, Mary Foerster; and several nieces and nephews; he was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Diane; his parents; and his brother, John; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Leo G. Lauzen; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Leo G. Lauzen as a symbol of our sympathy.