SR0239 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0239 LRB099 11508 MST 33036 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Verlyn "Swede" Roskam, who passed away on March 13, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Verlyn Roskam was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa; he graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri and from Knox College in 1951; he served as a company commander in the Korean War and was honored by the government of Korea at a 50th anniversary ceremony; for more than 50 years, the Roskams have made their home in the Glen Ellyn and Wheaton areas; and

WHEREAS, On July 26, 1952, Verlyn Roskam married the love of his life, Martha Lou Jacobsen, in Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, Verlyn Roskam worked full-time as an international salesman for the sorbent minerals company Oil-Dri Corp. of America until last year at the age of 84 - a career that spanned 45 years; and

WHEREAS, Verlyn Roskam formed Educational Assistance Limited, an organization that uses surplus inventory from colleges and universities and contributions from outside donors to fund scholarships and supplies for college students who could not otherwise afford to go; Educational Assistance Limited has raised millions of dollars and helped more than 10,000 students nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Verlyn Roskam was an active member of the Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church; and

WHEREAS, Verlyn Roskam was known for sponsoring trips overseas for young people within his church or paying for the education of others who were once in his situation; in 2002, on a business trip in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, his wife, Martha, noticed a basket of military dog tags; they purchased all 37 of them and hired a private investigator to track down the families of the 37 men; they spent the next decade personally delivering them to each family they could find; and

WHEREAS, Although not political themselves, Verlyn Roskam and his wife supported their son, Peter, in his political aspirations - often seen campaigning and participating in parades on their son's behalf; and

WHEREAS, Verlyn Roskam is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha (nee Jacobsen) Roskam; his 5 children, Stephen (Chandler), Dick (Phyllis), Sarah, U.S. Representative Peter (Elizabeth), and Maribeth (Jon Coote); and his 16 grandchildren, Gracey Roskam, Frankie Roskam, Steve Roskam, AJ Roskam, Jacob Roskam, Mica Roskam, Hilary Roskam, Jon Roskam, Lilly Roskam, Bryan Simpson, Hope Simpson, Jayne Averitt, Ian Coote, Peter Coote, Jonathan Coote, Jr., and Philip Coote; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Verlyn "Swede" Roskam, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Verlyn Roskam as an expression of our deepest sympathy.