HR1071 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1071 LRB094 20020 HSS 57532 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch moved to Park Forest from Chicago in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch joined the Park Forest Fire Department as a volunteer in the same year; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch was hired as a career firefighter on July 1, 1970; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch was promoted to the position of Lieutenant in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch was appointed acting chief in 1989 and subsequently assigned the position of Administrative Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch was appointed Fire Chief in 1991 and Fire Administrator in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch is a member of the NFPA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Illinois Association of Fire Chief, and MABAS 27 Fire Chiefs Association; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch was instrumental in the design concept and furnishing of the new state-of-the-art fire station; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch strived to provide his personnel with the best equipment, most up-to-date training, and a professional work environment in which to thrive; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his 38 years in fire service, Ronald Welch demonstrated his dedication to the highest ideals of service and protection of the citizens of the Village of Park Forest; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch has been a proud member of the "Men of Note" barbershop chorus for 18 years, singing at the White House for the "National Peace Officers Memorial" service and singing the national anthem prior to Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears sporting events; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch recently retired to spend more time with his family and to pursue his many outside interests, including traveling, singing, aspiring to be a Dapper Dan at Disney World, and riding his Gold Wing motorcycle; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch shall forever be known as the serious person that he is without a funny bone in his body; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Welch has evolved from his motorcycle with training wheels to his present two wheeler; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank Ronald Welch for his years of dedication to the protection of the citizens of Park Forest, and we congratulate him on the occasion of his retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Welch as an expression of our deepest gratitude for his service and with best wishes for a relaxing retirement.