HR1136 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1136 LRB093 22881 HSS 52814 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Mayor Richard "Dick" Rock of Plainfield on Sunday, June 27, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Richard Rock was born June 27, 1929 in Joliet to Alexander and Anne Rock; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Rock valiantly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1952 to 1956; he was a member of Plainfield American Legion Marne Post #3; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Rock operated Rock's Grocery and Meats from 1961 until 1989 and Rock's Deli from 1972 until 1996; the grocery store was the last one in town where local residents could keep a running tab based on the honor system; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Rock's political career began in 1992, when he was appointed as a Trustee of the Village of Plainfield; he was elected to the position the following year and served until 1997, when he was elected Mayor of the Village of Plainfield and served faithfully until his death; he is remembered as a good man for whom reputation meant everything, as very accommodating and kind, and as a real people person; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure, Mayor Rock was especially proud of several accomplishments, especially the new Village Hall building, the newly signed extended boundary agreement with Joliet, and the town's recent switch to Lake Michigan water; he led one of Chicago's fastest growing communities by embracing change and preserving the community's heritage, and under his leadership, the population of Plainfield grew from 5,000 to 23,000; and

WHEREAS, In his free time, Mayor Rock liked to bowl and fish; he was an avid baseball fan who rooted for the Chicago White Sox; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Mayor Richard "Dick" Rock has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Mardel (nee Corwin); his sister, Rene Taylor; his niece, Cindy (William) Waznis; his cousin, Ray Rock; his aunt, Doris Babich; his uncle, Charles Babich; his dear friend, Cheryl Henbest; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mayor Richard "Dick" Rock, a man who's leadership and caring nature won him the unequivocal admiration of the citizens of Plainfield in addition to his family, friends, and many others who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mayor Richard "Dick" Rock as an expression of our deepest sympathy for their loss.