HR1455LRB099 23793 GRL 51311 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate Walter Leon Russell and
4Janet Ann Russell on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of
5their company, Russell Oil Company-ROC One Stop, in November of
62016 and their 60th wedding anniversary on December 23, 2016;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, Leon and Janet Russell met at World Burger at Fort
9Smith, where Janet worked during high school and Leon was
10stationed at Fort Chaffee; they were married on December 23,
111956 at the family home of Earl and Eva Crouch in Fort Smith,
12Arkansas; and
 
13    WHEREAS, After getting married, Leon and Janet Russell
14moved to Leon's hometown of Galatia and started a family and
15farming; during this period, Leon earned his bachelor's degree
16in forestry at Southern Illinois University Carbondale; after
17graduation, Leon worked in forestry in Illinois, Oregon, and
18Indiana; he also worked for Dolly Madison Furniture in Alabama
19and Indiana; and
 
20    WHEREAS, In November of 1971, Leon and Janet Russell
21purchased a store in Galatia which offered gas, groceries, and
22minor auto repairs; the store had an apartment where they and

 

 

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1their children lived for several years; over the years, the
2company grew and now consists of locations throughout southern
3Illinois; they and their children Mary and Jonathan operate the
4ROC One Stop chain of convenience stores (14 locations),
5Harrisburg Furniture, Eldorado Hardware, Eldorado Spirits,
6Downtown Auto Sales/Piney Woods Cabins, and ROC Rentals; Janet
7has always been active in the business in addition to raising
8her children, teaching Sunday school, gardening, and
9participating in various civic organizations; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Leon and Janet Russell have four children, James
11Russell (deceased), Mary Beth Finley, Susan Oxford, and
12Jonathan Russell; 14 grandchildren; and 14
13great-grandchildren; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Leon and Janet Russell serve as models of hard
15work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
16Illinois; therefore, be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
18NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
19congratulate Walter Leon Russell and Janet Ann Russell on the
20occasion of the 45th anniversary of their company and their
2160th wedding anniversary and wish them continued success and
22happiness in the future; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Leon and Janet Russell as a symbol of our esteem
3and respect.