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 
 
 
HR1455- 2 -LRB099 23793 GRL 51311 r

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
  
 
 
 
HR1455- 3 -LRB099 23793 GRL 51311 r

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