HR0731 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0731 LRB095 13865 GRL 39625 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Marty Conatser on the occasion of his selection as the new National Commander of the American Legion; and

WHEREAS, Marty Conatser joined the Illinois Army National Guard in December of 1970; he served for 26 years, with 21 of those years on active duty in the Active Guard and Reserve program; he served in recruiting command in all positions, from Field Recruiter to Recruiting Sergeant Major; he retired from active duty with the rank of Sergeant Major in January of 1996; and

WHEREAS, Marty Conatser is an active member of American Legion Post #102 in DeLand; he has served the American Legion at the Post, county, district, division, and State levels; he served the national American Legion on the Membership and Post Activities Committee until his appointment as State Membership Director for Illinois; he returned to the Membership and Post Activities Committee to serve as Chairman in 2003; he served on the National Legislative Commission as Chairman in 2004 and 2005 and now serves as a consultant; and

WHEREAS, Marty Conatser was the first State Membership Director for the American Legion Department of Illinois; as State Membership Director, he developed training programs for all levels of the organization's leadership; he also continually developed and refined the awards programs for individual Posts and members within the State and managed the organization's membership database, which numbered over 190,000 members; he took a leave of absence from Worden-Martin, a large auto group in Champaign, to pursue the office of National Commander of the American Legion; and

WHEREAS, Marty Conatser has served as Chairman of the Piatt County Veterans Day Celebration for the last 12 years; he is a member of ANAVICUS, the Past State Commanders Club, Masonic Lodge #812, AMVETS Post #4, Egyptian Past Commanders Club, the Lincoln Challenge Academy Memorial Committee, and the Dads Association of the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Marty Conatser lives in Champaign with his wife, Sharon; he is the father of 3 sons, Richard, Rick, and Bryan; he also has 2 daughters-in-law, a grandson, and 2 granddaughters, all of whom are proud American Legion members; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Marty Conatser on the occasion of his selection as the new National Commander of the American Legion and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

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