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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois' historical roots as the
3agricultural heartland of the United States of America still
4greatly influence the everyday lives of all Illinoisans; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
6Representatives take great pride in recognizing the remarkable
7talent and historic accomplishments of our state's citizenry;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson has been an iconic voice on
10Illinois radio waves for more than 50 years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson was born on a working dairy farm
12in Wisconsin's Kickapoo Valley and has imbued more than a
13half-century of broadcasts with the sights, sounds, and stories
14of his rural Ontario, Wisconsin upbringing; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson's vocal talent grew prodigiously
16from the soil of a childhood illness; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson began his career in broadcasting
18as a polka disc jockey in Sparta, Wisconsin, but moved to
19Illinois to take the air for WGN in 1960, and has called our
20great State home ever since; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Orion and his wife, Gloria Samuelson, remain close
2to the communities of Orion's past, residing in Huntley at the
3frontier between Chicagoland and our State's magnificent
4farmland; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson has produced and hosted a diverse
6array of shows in his 54 years at WGN Radio and, for his 39
7years as host of "U.S. Farm Report" and "This Week in
8Agribusiness", is recognized nationally as the "rock star" of
9agricultural journalism; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In honor of his achievements as a broadcaster and
11agricultural advocate, Orion Samuelson has received the
12Lincoln Medal, the State of Illinois' highest honor, and has
13been inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame, the
14National 4-H Hall of Fame, the National Association of Farm
15Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the National Radio Hall of Fame;
16and
 
17    WHEREAS, Orion Samuelson continues to play an active part
18in local events throughout McHenry County, most notably as
19emcee of Harvard's Milk Days celebration; and
 
20    WHEREAS, In recognition of Orion Samuelson's extraordinary
21life, career, and contributions to our communities, WGN is

 

 

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1erecting a 'Walk of Fame' that will include a monument to Mr.
2Samuelson to be placed prominently before the station's
3headquarters in Chicago; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we congratulate Orion Samuelson on his recent milestone
7birthday and the new monument recognizing his lifetime of
8exceptional achievement; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to Orion and Gloria Samuelson as a symbol of our
11esteem and respect.