HR0642 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Ethard Lee on the occasion of his 100th birthday on June 16, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Ethard Lee was born on June 16, 2907 at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, where his father was an intern at the time; he and his family moved to southern Illinois' coal mining district, where they lived there for 1 1/2 years; then the family moved to Michigan near Kalamazoo for 2 years, where he entered his "chart" grade; this was followed by moves to Gran View, where his sister, Helen, was born, and Casey, where he started the 2nd grade and immediately fell in love with his teacher; he went through grade school and high school in Casey, graduating from high school in 1926; he attended college in a few places, ending up at the University of Illinois, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in education in 1933; and

WHEREAS, Ethard Lee spent 2 years teaching and coaching basketball in Casey, then went to graduate school at the University of Iowa, receiving a M.S.E. with an emphasis in Physical Education and Health in 1937; he spent the next few years teaching and coaching basketball in Casey, Zainesfield, Ohio and Chilicothe, Ohio; he then entered the Chicago Teachers College, where he attended for one year and graduated on June 1, 1940; he went on to teach history in the Chicago public schools; and

WHEREAS, In 1942, Ethard Lee enlisted in the General Tunney Fitness Club in the United States Navy, a 12-week program in Norfolk, Virginia; he graduated as a Chief Specialist with a Boatsman rating; he went through officers training and was commissioned as a Junior Lieutenant, becoming First Lieutenant within 2 years; he was rescued from participating in the Second World War by a former teacher from Chicago Teachers College and was sent to work in the school system at Great Lakes, where he worked with sailors on their fitness and saw them to and from San Diego-Treasure Island by train; he decided to leave the Navy after a four year enlistment; and

WHEREAS, Ethard Lee married Olga Blomberg on May 1, 1946 and returned to Chicago to teach; in the early 1950's Ethard and his wife moved to Bloomington, where he was in sales with Gill Bores Equipment Company out of Chicago; they moved to Quincy in 1959, where Ethard continued his work in sales of heavy equipment for the Illinois Road Equipment Company; he began working for Investors Diversified Services as a Broker/Investment consultant soon after, retiring in the mid 1970's after 15 years of service; Olga passed away in March 1969; and

WHEREAS, Ethard Lee retired after working for Investors Diversified for 15 years in the Mid 1970's; he met Neva in November 1969, right after her move to Quincy; the first time they met he asked her to dinner, and she said yes; they were married on March 21, 1981, with Ethard becoming a husband, father, and grandfather, all at once; he became a great-grandfather in September 1994, and has since gained 5 more great-grandchildren, for a grand total of 6; and

WHEREAS, Ethard Lee has been active his entire life; he has had a lifetime interest in tennis, baseball, golf, and basketball, whether as a participant, teacher, or spectator; he played his last round of golf at age 94; and he is an avid White Sox and Illini fan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Ethard Lee on celebrating this momentous birthday and wish him good health and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ethard Lee as a symbol of our esteem and respect.