HR1299

LRB095 21437 KXB 50854 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Lake Villa Fire Department was established in 
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1933, but actually began in 1931 when men of the community 
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American Legion got together and discussed the need for a fire 
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department for the Lake Villa Township; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The men formed the Lake Villa Volunteer Firemen's 
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Association with William Marks as president, Al Kapple as 
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secretary, and D.R. Manzer as the treasurer; on July 3, 1931 a 
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dance was held to raise money to buy equipment and membership 
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cards for the Fire Protection area were also sold; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Three water cisterns were built to hold 10,000 
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gallons of water until equipment could be purchased; in 1933 
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the first fire truck, a Pirsch, was purchased for $5,300 and 
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housed in a local garage; the first fire chief, Fred Hamlin, 
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was made custodian of the siren and assumed responsibility to 
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alert the other men in the event of a fire; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1934, a section of the new village hall was 
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built for the fire equipment; in 1936, a fire protection 
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district was created and the first trustees were appointed; and 
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by 1940, with the growth of the area, new equipment and a new 
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firehouse were obtained; and

 
 


 






HR1299
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LRB095 21437 KXB 50854 r




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    WHEREAS, Many of the men went off to serve in World War II 
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and Korea and resumed fire protection duties upon their return; 
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during that time rapid growth covered the area and more 
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equipment and manpower were needed; over the next several years 
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the Lake Villa Rescue Squad and Underwater Recovery Team would 
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be formed from the original idea of a fire department; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1983 the Lake Villa Fire Department celebrated 
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its 50th anniversary with an open house; the 75th anniversary 
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will be celebrated with a monument dedication ceremony and a 
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dinner in honor of the Lake Villa Fire Department and its rich 
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history; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the many men and women who have served with the 
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Lake Villa Fire Department over the years and wish them the 
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best as they continue to provide a safe environment for the 
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community; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the Lake Villa Fire Department as a symbol of our 
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respect.