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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph
4A. "Joe" Terronez of Silvis, who passed away on January 2,
52021; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez was born in a boxcar in the
7Silvis yards to Benito and Felisa Anguiano Terronez on
8February 15, 1929; he attended Silvis public schools and
9graduated from United Township High School in 1947; he married
10Rebecca Herrera on November 6, 1948, and they had 8 children;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez worked as a repairman for the
13International Harvester Company in East Moline for 33 years;
14he retired in 1984; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez served the City of Silvis for 30
16years; he was elected First Ward alderman to the Silvis City
17Council in 1963, and he served for 26 years; he then served as
18mayor for four years from 1989 to 1993; he was the first
19elected Hispanic mayor in the State of Illinois; during his
20tenure, he worked tirelessly to rename the 2nd Street in
21Silvis to Hero Street, USA and establish the Hero Street
22Memorial Park, a living memorial to the eight Mexican

 

 

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1Americans from Hero Street who died during combat in World War
2II and Korea and all heroes from Silvis; he was dedicated to
3promoting Hero Street and honoring its heroes; he visited
4schools and libraries to teach students about Hero Street,
5sent copies of the Hero Street documentary to libraries and
6colleges across the country, and gifted copies of the
7documentary to visiting dignitaries; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Joseph Terronez was a
9member of several labor, political, civic, and religious
10organizations; he was a proud union member and leader of the
11United Auto Workers (UAW), where he served as union
12committeeman and played a part in securing better wages, job
13security, and insurance benefits for union members; he was
14loyal to the Democratic Party, and he mentored and assisted
15many Hispanics in winning elections to hold public office in
16the Quad Cities area; he proudly worked with veterans, and he
17was an honorary member of the Mexican American Veterans
18Association (MAVA) and the Hero Street Memorial Committee; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez received numerous honors and
20awards at the local, state, and national levels for his
21accomplishments in labor, politics, and community service,
22including the Civic Leadership Award in 1985 and the National
23Hispanic Hero Award presented at the United States Hispanic
24Annual Leadership Conference in Chicago in 1996; he was named

 

 

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1Silvis Hometown Hero and Moonlight Parade Grand Marshal in
22019; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez was deeply committed to his faith
4and was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; he
5enjoyed watching sports, and he was an avid Chicago Cubs and
6Chicago Bears fan; he also enjoyed participating in special
7family celebrations, attending his grandchildren's sporting
8events, visiting family, and walking through the city; he
9loved Silvis and was known for often saying his strength and
10pride came from Silvis; he will be deeply missed; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez was preceded in death by his
12parents; his wife; his sons, Lencho Terronez and Joseph
13Sebastian Terronez (infant); his daughter, Barbara Morrow; his
14sisters, Ezekia, Theresa Sierra, Gabriela Moreno, Jessie
15Vallejo, Mary Medina, Antonia Perez, and Angela Ayala; his
16brothers, Alvino Terronez and Guadalupe Terronez; and several
17in-laws; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Joseph Terronez is survived by his children,
19Darrell (Cindy) Terronez, Roberta Terronez, Rebecca Terronez,
20Mary Terronez, and Lydia (Javier) Riojas; his 13
21grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 12
22great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Bennie (Belin)
23Terronez; his sisters, Nellie Munos, Cruz Cervantes, and

 

 

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1Delores (Richard) Esparza; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
3HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
4we mourn the passing of Joseph A. "Joe" Terronez and extend our
5sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
6and loved him; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the family of Joseph Terronez as an expression of
9our deepest sympathy.