HR0301 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0301 LRB094 11902 HSS 44419 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with deep sadness of the death of Edward J. Moskal on Tuesday, March 22, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Edward J. Moskal was born in Chicago on May 21, 1924, to Sophie (Grzyb) and Joseph Moskal; he attended St. John Cantius School; following his formal education and three years in the United States Army, he returned home to begin his illustrious career with the Polish National Alliance (PNA), which he joined in 1942; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Moskal married Wanda Sadlik on November 21, 1946; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Moskal had served as President of the PNA since 1988; prior to his presidency, he was elected a PNA National Director in 1963 and became National Treasurer in 1967, in which office he served until his election as President; he was also elected as President of the Polish American Congress in 1988 and served in that office until his death; and

WHEREAS, President Lech Walesa awarded him the highest civilian honor of the Republic of Poland, the Commander's Cross with Star; he was also made an honorary citizen of the city of Krakow, Poland; the title of Honorary Doctor was bestowed upon him by the University of Poznan Medical School in 1997; and

WHEREAS, At a private audience with the late Pope John Paul II on December 4, 1997, Mr. Moskal had the opportunity to discuss Polish and Polish American matters with the Holy Father and to gain his insights and advice; he was reelected President of the Polish National Alliance for another four-year term in September of 2003; and

WHEREAS, His term as President was marked by many innovations and advancements at the PNA; among other things, he instituted a complete computerization of the Home Office in Chicago, making it a state-of-the-art operation; it was also a period in which other smaller Polish American fraternal groups merged with the PNA, which had become the largest ethnic fraternal organization in the United States; he completed the initiation of broadcasting by radio station WPNA (1490 AM) in the Chicago area; determined to secure the financial independence and growth of the PNA, he expanded the interests to the organization to include banking institutions under the name of Alliance FSB with branches in Niles and Chicago; constantly interested in keeping current with modern trends, he led the PNA into the new world of Internet communications with the creation of a website and widespread e-mail correspondence; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Moskal was blessed with organizational talent, executive expertise, realistic optimism, genuine enthusiasm, a Christian disposition, and gentlemanly constitution; he lived out the ideals of his heritage, the mission of his fraternal, and the vision of his heart's dedication; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Edward J. Moskal has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Wanda (nee Sadlik); his daughter Pamela (Dennis) Komorowski; his brother, Chester (Joan) Moskal; his sister, Irene DelGiudice; his granddaughters, Joyce (Joseph) Selby, Mary (Dariusz) Wieczorkiewicz, and Lisa Komorowski; his great-grandchildren, Joseph, Jason, and Jamie Selby, and Ryan Wieczorkiewicz; and his numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Edward J. Moskal, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 his family as an expression of our sincere condolences for their loss.