SR1316 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1316 LRB101 21770 ECR 72721 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ronald "Ron" E. Powell, who passed away on March 22, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Ron Powell was born in rural Wisconsin on April 5, 1935; he served his country in the United States Army and, following his service, studied at Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1960; and

WHEREAS, in 1960, Ron Powell began working for the Jewel Tea Company in DeKalb, where he successfully led the first and only recognition strike against the company; after the strike, he joined the staff of Local 881 (formerly the United Retail Workers Union, Independent); and

WHEREAS, Ron Powell began his union career as a field representative in 1961 and was promoted to Director of Field Operations, Vice President of the Executive Board, and Secretary-Treasurer; in 1983, he was elected to the office of president; as president, he built Local 881 into the largest local union in the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union; upon his retirement, he became the longest serving Constitutional Officer of Local 881 UFCW;; he was also elected Vice President of the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board on December 4, 1986 and remained a leading voice in its governance under six Illinois AFL-CIO presidents; throughout his career, he vigilantly fought to strengthen the rights of union members throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana in the workplace and in the halls of government; and

WHEREAS, Ron Powell committed himself to many educational, philanthropic, and community endeavors, including the Better Boys Foundation, the Little City Foundation, the United Way, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, and the UFCW Local 881 Charitable Foundation; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work as a trustee for the Village of Mundelein for many years, Ron Powell served a number of organizations, including the Illinois State Board of Investments, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Advisory Board, the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board; he was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1996, 2000, and 2008; and

WHEREAS, Ron Powell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois, and his grandson, Ryan Fisher; and

WHEREAS, Ron Powell is survived by his children, Kelly (Mark) Morrissey, Brad (Joanne) Powell, Steven Powell, and Kerry Fisher; his grandchildren, Nicholas (fiancé Patricia Kutrumanes), Mark (Amanda), Michelle, Matthew, Ronald, Camille, Michael, Tyler (Koni), Trevor (Jasmine), Sean, and Rachel; his great-grandchildren, Braylon, Jaylen, Rylee, and Jax; and his dear friend, Penney Wyman; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ronald "Ron" E. Powell 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 Ron Powell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.