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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
William T. Jensen III; and

 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III came into this world on August 
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2, 1927; he was raised in Northbrook; at the age of 12, he 
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joined the Boy Scouts of America, where he ultimately earned 
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the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting's highest honor; throughout 
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his life, he persistently abided by the Scouting pledge of "on 
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my honor, I will do my best"; and

 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III served his country with pride 
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and distinction in the United States Army as an announcer for 
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Armed Forces Radio in Vienna, Austria; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1948, William Jensen III began his career at 
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Methode Electronics; during this time, he also attended 
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Northwestern University; during his tenure at Methode 
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Electronics, he ascended the ranks, ultimately becoming 
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Vice-President, President, and Chairman of the Board of 
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Directors; his inventions, direction, leadership, and wisdom 
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were an inspiration to his colleagues for more than 56 years; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III and his wife, Peg, later made 
 


 






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their home in Wayne, where they lived on their beloved Deerwood 
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Farm; much of their time was devoted to conservation projects, 
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including the re-establishment of a native Illinois prairie and 
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the creation of a pond to preserve, conserve, and restore 
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native flora and fauna, complete with habitats for birds, 
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butterflies, deer, and frogs; Mr. Jensen also served as a Kane 
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County Frog Monitor for Chicago Wilderness; and

 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III supported the re-establishment 
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of native prairie plants at the Village of Wayne parks known as 
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Misty's Meadow and Wayne Prairie Garden; and

 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III was a long-time member of the 
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Wayne-DuPage Hunt, where he hosted the much-anticipated 
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Stirrup Cup; he was also an avid supporter of equestrian 
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activities, generously allowing the use of Deerwood Farm for 
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equestrian use; and

 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III was responsible for the 
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restoration and preservation of numerous historic buildings in 
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Barrington and Wayne; and

 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III was an active member of his 
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community; he partnered with Wayne Elementary School for 
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numerous educational programs at Deerwood Farm; he donated land 
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to the Village of Wayne Historic and Rural Preservation 
 


 






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Program; he granted numerous conservation easements; he also 
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drove his 1947 Deerwood Farm Fire Truck in the annual Village 
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Flag Day Parade; in recognition of his many contributions to 
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the Village of Wayne, he and his wife were recognized as Wayne 
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Citizens of the Year in 2006; and
 
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    WHEREAS, William Jensen III further served the Village of 
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Wayne by holding the unpaid position of Village Trustee, 
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beginning in December of 2000; he was eventually reelected 3 
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times, most recently in April of 2009; during his tenure, he 
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served as chairman of the Finance and Long Range Plan 
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Committees; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Sadly, William Jensen III recently passed away 
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from this life to the next; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of William T. Jensen III 
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and honor him for his many contributions to industry, 
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conservation, and historic preservation in the State of 
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Illinois; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of William Jensen III as an expression 
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of our sympathy.