Full Text of HR0637 103rd General Assembly
HR0637 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY | | | HR0637 | | LRB103 39604 LAW 69907 r |
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| 1 | | HOUSE RESOLUTION | 2 | | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of | 3 | | Representatives wish to congratulate Joseph L. "Joe" Belman on | 4 | | the occasion of his 100th birthday and thank him for his | 5 | | military service during World War II; and | 6 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman has spent his life serving his | 7 | | community and his country with honor; and | 8 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman was born in Pontiac on February 20, | 9 | | 1924; he was adopted by Louise and Irene Belman; during his | 10 | | upbringing, the lessons of diligence, responsibility, and | 11 | | community he was taught became the cornerstones of his | 12 | | character; and | 13 | | WHEREAS, In his youth, Joe Belman worked on the | 14 | | Mississippi River, where he found unexpected joy and | 15 | | tranquility; and | 16 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force | 17 | | during World War II, serving as a B-17 Flying Fortress ball | 18 | | turret gunner and achieving the rank of staff sergeant; while | 19 | | exposed to the dangers of anti-aircraft fire and enemy | 20 | | fighters during his 35 missions over enemy territory in the | 21 | | European theater, his valorous actions contributed to pushing |
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| 1 | | the enemy out of Europe and into Germany; and | 2 | | WHEREAS, For his military service, Joe Belman was awarded | 3 | | the Air Medal with five Oak Clusters and the European Ribbon | 4 | | with three Battle Stars; and | 5 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman returned to the United States in April | 6 | | 1945, taking a unique journey home by hitchhiking across the | 7 | | country; and | 8 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman married Irene in 1947, and together | 9 | | they shared 59 wonderful years; and | 10 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman's commitment to service and advocacy | 11 | | persisted beyond his wartime service; he showcased his | 12 | | enduring dedication to community welfare through his | 13 | | involvement in the Citizens' Utility Board and the Will County | 14 | | Jury Commission and his leadership roles in the American G.I. | 15 | | Forum and the Illinois Hispanic Democratic Council; and | 16 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman also served as a union organizer in | 17 | | Lockport, dedicating himself to promoting safer working | 18 | | environments and higher wages, and he helped form Service | 19 | | Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 650, serving as its | 20 | | first president; and |
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| 1 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman's impact has extended beyond formal | 2 | | roles, with involvement in youth development, coaching various | 3 | | sports, and community leadership, which earned him numerous | 4 | | accolades; and | 5 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman's journey, from the tranquil waters of | 6 | | the Mississippi River to the tumultuous skies over Germany, is | 7 | | a testament to resilience, dedication to community, and the | 8 | | enduring spirit of the Greatest Generation; and | 9 | | WHEREAS, Joe Belman's life exemplifies the principles of | 10 | | democracy, equality, and empowerment, inspiring and guiding | 11 | | generations to come and leaving an indelible mark on the | 12 | | landscape of labor and community service beyond the boundaries | 13 | | of Illinois; therefore, be it | 14 | | RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE | 15 | | HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that | 16 | | we congratulate Joseph L. "Joe" Belman on his 100th birthday, | 17 | | thank him for his military service to the United States of | 18 | | America, and recognize his century-long journey and his | 19 | | enduring impact on workers' rights advocacy and mentorship in | 20 | | youth development; and be it further | 21 | | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | 22 | | presented to Joe Belman as an expression of our esteem and |
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| 1 | | respect. |
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