HR0318 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0318 LRB103 32636 LAW 62291 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the Momence Fire Protection District's naming of its firehouse in honor of the late former Fire Chief James "Jim" LaMotte; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte was born to Robert and Ethel LaMotte in Kankakee on October 23, 1940; he married Marlene D. Grimes in Momence on August 4, 1962, and they had three daughters; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte became a volunteer firefighter in 1958, serving on the Momence Fire Protection District for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte courageously served as fire chief of the Momence Fire Protection District for 21 years, and he served as a sitting member and president of the board of trustees; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte's impact on the Kankakee County region is indelible, as he served on the committee to establish 911 in Kankakee and the Kankakee County Emergency Telephone System Board from 1989 to 2021, serving as chairman on the latter for 27 years; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte served as a sitting officer and treasurer of the Illinois Firefighter Memorial Foundation and the State Firefighter Medal of Honor Committee; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his service in first response, Jim LaMotte spent many years engaged with his community, serving as president of the Hundred Club of Kankakee County, past vice chairman of the Kankakee County Board, and board member of Drug Free, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte also volunteered at Good Shepherd Manor in Momence from its very beginning in 1971, and he served as chairman of the board of directors for 22 years; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte's service was recognized many times, being named the 1999 Momence Citizen of the Year and having received the 2015 Momence Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 Joe Gianotti President Award from the Hundred Club of Kankakee County, and the 2021 Kankakee 911/ETSB Years of Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte was further honored when the Kankakee County Board proclaimed October 2021 as Jim LaMotte Month; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte was a lifetime parishioner of St. Patrick Church in Momence, where he also served on the cemetery board and finance council; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte passed away in February 2022, and he was preceded in death by his wife in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Jim LaMotte left behind a legacy in his public service and through his daughters, Lori (Don) Henry, Sandy (Bob) Malpasuto, and Jackie (Bill) Haas, his grandchildren, Jill (Justin) Licke, Ashley (Erik) Michener, Aryn (Jeff) Whiting, Jack Malpasuto, Mike (Rachel) Malpasuto, Nicole Haas, and Ben Haas, and his sister-in-law, Patricia LaMotte; and

WHEREAS, The Momence Fire Protection District has announced it will be naming its firehouse in honor of the late former Fire Chief James "Jim" LaMotte for his lifetime of service to and the profound impact he had on his communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the Momence Fire Protection District's naming of its firehouse in honor of the late former Fire Chief James "Jim" LaMotte, a dedication to a true community leader of Kankakee County and the State of Illinois who gave his gifts and time to the people and communities he loved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Momence Fire Protection District Fire Chief James Spoon and the LaMotte family as an expression of our esteem and respect.