HR0606LRB104 18536 LAW 31979 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Ronald Jay Meinsma on his 
4retirement as a volunteer firefighter; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ronald Meinsma of Savanna dedicated 60 years of 
6his life to serving three different communities in Carroll 
7County over the course of his career; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Ronald Meinsma served as a volunteer firefighter 
9and firefighter engineer in Chadwick for two years, in Mt. 
10Carroll for 46 years, and in Savanna for 12 years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Ronald Meinsma, born on November 24, 1940, was 
12one week from turning 85 when he retired on November 17, 2025, 
13demonstrating his longstanding commitment to public service, 
14serving volunteer fire departments for most of his life; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Ronald Meinsma advanced as a volunteer 
16firefighter in each community he served, eventually earning 
17the title of firefighter engineer with the responsibility of 
18driving the fire truck, which was his favorite of all the roles 
19he held; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Alongside his volunteer firefighting career, 
 
 
HR0606- 2 -LRB104 18536 LAW 31979 r

1Ronald Meinsma worked as a fuel truck driver for FS, often 
2delivering fuel to emergency situations after responding as a 
3firefighter; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Outside of his volunteer firefighting duties, 
5Ronald Meinsma has placed American flags nearly every Memorial 
6Day at the gravestones of every deceased firefighter he could 
7find across Carroll County and beyond; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Ronald Meinsma has never sought personal 
9recognition or glory for his work, serving as a humble and 
10committed public servant and first responder; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
12HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
13we congratulate Ronald Jay Meinsma on his retirement as a 
14volunteer firefighter, and we thank him for his six decades of 
15service throughout Carroll County; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17delivered to Ronald Meinsma as an expression of our esteem and 
18respect.