HR1125 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1125 LRB098 21414 GRL 59852 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois' historical roots as the agricultural heartland of the United States of America still greatly influence the everyday lives of all Illinoisans; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives take great pride in recognizing the remarkable talent and historic accomplishments of our state's citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson has been an iconic voice on Illinois radio waves for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson was born on a working dairy farm in Wisconsin's Kickapoo Valley and has imbued more than a half-century of broadcasts with the sights, sounds, and stories of his rural Ontario, Wisconsin upbringing; and

WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson's vocal talent grew prodigiously from the soil of a childhood illness; and

WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson began his career in broadcasting as a polka disc jockey in Sparta, Wisconsin, but moved to Illinois to take the air for WGN in 1960, and has called our great State home ever since; and

WHEREAS, Orion and his wife, Gloria Samuelson, remain close to the communities of Orion's past, residing in Huntley at the frontier between Chicagoland and our State's magnificent farmland; and

WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson has produced and hosted a diverse array of shows in his 54 years at WGN Radio and, for his 39 years as host of "U.S. Farm Report" and "This Week in Agribusiness", is recognized nationally as the "rock star" of agricultural journalism; and

WHEREAS, In honor of his achievements as a broadcaster and agricultural advocate, Orion Samuelson has received the Lincoln Medal, the State of Illinois' highest honor, and has been inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame, the National 4-H Hall of Fame, the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the National Radio Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson continues to play an active part in local events throughout McHenry County, most notably as emcee of Harvard's Milk Days celebration; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Orion Samuelson's extraordinary life, career, and contributions to our communities, WGN is erecting a 'Walk of Fame' that will include a monument to Mr. Samuelson to be placed prominently before the station's headquarters in Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Orion Samuelson on his recent milestone birthday and the new monument recognizing his lifetime of exceptional achievement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Orion and Gloria Samuelson as a symbol of our esteem and respect.