HR0767 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0767 LRB101 20821 MST 70546 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Marvin E. Perzee, who passed away on July 17, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee was born in Watseka to Nellie (Koets) Perzee on October 9, 1942; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee and his wife, Sharon, grew up around agriculture and county fairs and were both heavily involved with the Ashkum Chargers, their local 4-H club; Marvin was a volunteer for the Chargers for five decades; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee was first elected to the Iroquois County Agricultural and 4-H Club Fair Board in 1967 and later served as president for 48 years; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee had an unrivaled knowledge of the inner workings of the Iroquois County Fair; during his tenure, the fairgrounds built multiple new buildings and expanded the fair to become one of the premier county fairs in Illinois; he could even name how many ash trees were on the fairgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee held many leadership roles in the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs, including Northern Zone President, director, and president; he dedicated 40 years of service in the role of legislative chair; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee was a tireless and highly successful advocate at the state level for the importance of adequate funding for county fairs to not only serve as economic engines for rural communities across the State but also to cultivate for the younger generations an interest in agricultural careers; and

WHEREAS, Because of Marvin Perzee's vast knowledge and expertise in the workings of county fairs, he was appointed to serve on the Illinois Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board; and

WHEREAS, Together with his wife, Sharon, Marvin Perzee was instrumental in advocating for issues affecting farmers and agriculture and was successful at lobbying for legislation in Springfield, such as exempting farm machinery from sales taxes, as well as increasing fair funding for all Illinois county fairs, 4-H, and vocational agricultural sectional fairs; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee served as the Iroquois County Republican Chairman and as a member of the Agricultural Advisory Board under former Congressman Tom Ewing; he was honored by Prairie Farmer Magazine as one of four Master Farmers in 1999; he received a number of other awards during his life in recognition of his service; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee was preceded in death by his mother, one brother, one daughter, one grandson, and one niece; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Perzee is survived by his wife, Sharon; two brothers; one daughter; one son-in-law; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marvin E. Perzee and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare May 20, 2020 as "Marvin Perzee County Fair Day" in the State of Illinois to honor his significant contributions to the Iroquois County Fair and agriculture; and be it further

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