SR0444 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0444 LRB103 34065 ECR 63882 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ronald P. Staes of Moline, who passed away on August 20, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Staes was born to Frank and Myrtle Staes in Moline on July 13, 1947; he graduated from Moline High School and received a degree from St. Ambrose University in 1974; he served for four years in the U.S. Air Force, earning the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Staes served as the Moline Police Department's first D.A.R.E. officer from 1991 to 2004; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Staes received the Moline Police Department's highest honor, the Medal of Honor, for rescuing two children from a burning home in 1989; he also received the Americanism Award and was named the State of Illinois Law Officer of the Year in 1993 and the Moline Police Department's Police Officer of the Year in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Staes was a life member of various organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; he served as president of the Filipino-American Association Iowa-Illinois Region; he was also involved with community boards and the Knights of Columbus; he served as an extraordinary minister for the Holy Communion; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Staes dedicated time to his family, his friends, and charitable endeavors, as his philosophy of life was that a person's legacy is defined by what they do for others not for themselves; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Staes was preceded in death by his brother, Father Bob Staes; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Staes is survived by his daughter, Amber (Alex) Cunningham; his grandchildren, Miles and Maya; and his sister, Dawn (Mike) Petrik; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ronald Staes 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 Ronald Staes as an expression of our deepest sympathy.