HR0234 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0234 LRB096 12191 GRL 24686 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of S.A. "Jimmie" Harris of Winthrop, who passed away on March 24, 2009; and

WHEREAS, S.A. Harris was born December 30, 1916 in Meade, Kansas; and

WHEREAS, S.A. Harris operated Artesian Valley Creamery and Produce Business in Harrington, Kansas; he came to Winthrop Harbor in 1946 after serving six and a half years in the United States Navy, serving both as a Recruiting Officer in Kansas City, Missouri and Great Lakes, Illinois and overseas with Joint Army-Navy Intelligence in the Pacific Ocean area; and

WHEREAS, S.A. Harris was employed as an auto dealer in Winthrop Harbor from 1949 until 1976 and was a member of the Dealer Advisory Board in Detroit, Michigan, where he represented the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, S.A. Harris was an active member of his community; he served as a Precinct Committeeman; he was a member of the Republican Federation for many years and also headed the local Republican organization; he served as Chairman of the Winthrop Harbor Planning Commission from 1958 to 1985; he was a board member and Chairman of Lake County Planning Commission; he spearheaded the establishment of the Winthrop Harbor Volunteer Fire Department and helped create a street numbering system for Winthrop Harbor; he organized and chartered the Winthrop Harbor Lions Club in 1954 and remained active with a club membership of 64; he was also a Past District Governor for Lions of Illinois District 1-F from 1962 to 1963 and served as International Convention Chairman for the Lions of Illinois District 1-F for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, S.A. Harris served as President of the Winthrop Harbor School Board; he was the President of the Zion-Winthrop Harbor-Beach Park Chamber of Commerce; he was a board member and past Chairman of Zion State Bank Board of Directors; he served on the Board of First American Bank; he served as Benton Township Clerk and was in charge of the Service Unit of Salvation Army for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Currently, S.A. Harris served as a board member and Vice-President of Midwestern Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, where he served for 25 years; he was Chairman of the Village of Winthrop Harbor Economic Development Committee and the Winthrop Harbor Citizens Police Committee; he was an active member of First Christian Church of Kenosha, Wisconsin since 1950; he also managed Harris Enterprises in Winthrop Harbor and was an Associate Member of the Winthrop Harbor Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, S.A. Harris is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary; his children, James Randy (Linda) Harris, Linda (Edward) Isom-Burge, and Patti (Douglas) Gross; and his seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of S.A. "Jimmie" Harris; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of S.A. "Jimmie" Harris as an expression of our sympathy.