HR0188 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0188 LRB103 31803 LAW 60407 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Janice M. (Jamrosz) Christiansen, who passed away on March 31, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Janice Christiansen was born to Margaret (Campbell) Jamrosz and Sigmund F. Jamrosz in Springfield on December 19, 1943; she was a graduate of Michigan State University, with a major in history and a minor in English; she married John T. Christiansen in 1968, and they had two sons, Spencer Lynn and Jon Michael, before he preceded her in death in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Janice Christiansen and her husband were third generation owners of the family business, FlagSource, a company that produces U.S. flags, which are 100% made in the U.S.A. and derived from American materials and labor; she joined the firm as president in 1990, vowing to return FlagSource to its former glory and to honor her husband's legacy; she rebuilt the business within 5 years, all while raising her two sons; as she propelled the business forward, she installed the largest embroidery machine in the world to embroider the starfields on U.S. flags; and

WHEREAS, Janice Christiansen was named the first chairwoman of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) in 2010; she relished the position and connected with many different business and manufacturing associations to move Illinois manufacturing forward; and

WHEREAS, Janice Christiansen had a great passion for traveling and exploring the world, and she made many of these journeys with her partner, Bob Bonifas; she was also a proud alum of Michigan State University; and

WHEREAS, Janice Christiansen loved her family, and one of her favorite family activities was hosting Christmas at her home, which was always a big and colorful event; she will be remembered for her leadership, her dedication to family and the family business, and her positive and upbeat manner; and

WHEREAS, Janice Christiansen is survived by her sons, Spencer (Jennifer) and Jon Michael (Maria); her grandchildren, Spencer Jr., Nathan, and Lucas; her brother, Michael Jamrosz; her nephews, Jeffrey (Jessica) and Joseph (Christine); her brother-in-law, William Christiansen; her many nieces and nephews; and her partner of nearly 20 years, Robert "Bob" Bonifas; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Janice M. (Jamrosz) Christiansen and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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