HR1141 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1141 LRB095 20677 KXB 49025 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Cornelius Bergbower of Bluford, formerly of Newton, on the occasion of his 79th birthday, May 26, 2008; and

WHEREAS, He was born in 1929; in October of 1950 he enlisted in the United States Air Force; after attending Aircraft Engine School in Wichita Falls, Texas, he was assigned to the 305th Bombardment Wing near Tampa, Florida; and

WHEREAS, He later became an Aircraft Instrument Specialist at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul; he was instrumental in working with the phase-out of the B-29 Superfortress and the introduction of the new B-47 Stratojet; the Stratojet was a model for commercial airliners and became a vital part of the Korean conflict; and

WHEREAS, Upon his discharge in 1953 Mr. Bergbower went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad, where he worked for over 30 years serving as a lineman and Communications Director for the Southern Illinois branch of the railroad; and

WHEREAS, He became a collector of Model T parts as well as other Ford parts and cars while working for the railroad; he later started Berg's Antique Auto Parts to manufacture Model A and T radiators, water pumps, and pedal pads for people across the nation; and

WHEREAS, Cornelius Bergbower was also the proud owner of a 1923 Rickenbacker Opera Coupe, named for Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, a fighter ace during World War I; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Cornelius Bergbower on this special occasion and wish him the best in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Cornelius Bergbower as a symbol of our respect and esteem.