HR1626

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate Jim DeLuca on the 
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occasion of being the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year 
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Award from the Italian American Executives of Transportation; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jim DeLuca was born in Chicago to Antonio and 
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Assunta DeLuca; both of his parents immigrated to the United 
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States from Calabria, Italy in September of 1928; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jim DeLuca served his country with honor and 
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distinction as a member of the United States Armed Forces 
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during the Korean Conflict, serving 14 months in Korea from 
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1951 until 1953; after his honorable discharge from the Army, 
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he married Lena Lasorsa; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1961, Jim DeLuca went into the grocery 
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business, opening Mayfair Foods in Franklin Park; he also had a 
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brief stint in the catering business and owned the famous 
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slides and batting cages on Lake Street; after retiring in 
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1991, he decided to devote his time and energy helping children 
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and seniors with various community projects; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jim DeLuca is one of the founders of the Americans 
 


 






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of Italian Descent of DuPage County, which was founded in 1978; 
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the organization seeks to aid those in need, including children 
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with disabilities and senior citizens, as well as awarding 
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scholarships and donating items to the Pantry, a community 
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organization that gives food and assistance to families in 
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need; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jim DeLuca is proud to be a full-blooded 
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Calabrese, with his heritage leading him to join the Calabrese 
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in America Organization, a group that holds many functions that 
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celebrate Italian and Calabrese culture and raise funds for 
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charities; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jim DeLuca is a very active member of the Italian 
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American Executives of Transportation, which seeks to donate 
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scholarships, support educational programs, and assist other 
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organizations to enhance the Italian image in the community; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Jim DeLuca is well known among his peers for his 
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passionate work on the behalf of children with disabilities; he 
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is an enthusiastic supporter, fundraiser,  and active member of 
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the Midwest Council for Children with Disabilities, a group  
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that has helped countless numbers of disabled children and 
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their families; and
 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, Jim DeLuca's work with disabled children and his 
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willingness to help those in need make him worthy of both the 
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Humanitarian of the Year Award and the respect of the people of 
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the State of Illinois; 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 Jim DeLuca on the occasion of being the recipient 
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of the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Italian American 
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Executives of Transportation and wish him continued success and 
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happiness in the future; and be it further

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