SR0350 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0350 LRB093 14826 HSS 40387 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Samuel Robert Swanson II of Galesburg on Monday, December 1, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swanson was born January 28, 1925, in Evanston, to Robert Maynard and Gladys (Van Patton) Swanson; he was a graduate of Galesburg High School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swanson valiantly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was a Staff Sergeant in the 45th Division; he was in the invasion of Sicily, Messina, Salerno, Naples, Anzio, Venafro, and was a squad leader when he was captured in southern France; he was a German prisoner of war in Stalag IIIC; he was awarded the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters and five bronze battle stars; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swanson attended Knox College, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, as well as the University of Southern California; he was married to Virginia "Ginny" Peterson on December 29, 1946, at the Trinity Lutheran Church by the Reverend Marvin Raymond; and

WHEREAS, He moved to North Henderson in 1950 where he was a partner in the Olson Swanson Grain Elevator; he moved to Galesburg in 1966 and entered the real estate business; he owned Tucker-Swanson Realty until his retirement in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swanson was a former President of the Galesburg Board of Realtors and District Vice President of the Illinois Association of Real Estate; he was a past Board Member of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce and a Life Member of the First Midwest Bank Board (formerly the Bank of Galesburg); and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swanson was active in numerous charitable and civic organizations; he held a Life Membership on the Cottage Hospital Board and was a charter member of the Cottage Hospital Foundation; he also served on Boards of the Harrington Home, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association; he was a member of the Knox Gale Society and the Knox-Lombard 50 Year Club; he was a 32nd Degree Mason, a former Rotarian, and a member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2257 and the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285; he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Samuel Robert Swanson II has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Virginia "Ginny"; his sons, Steven M. (and Barbara) Swanson and Samuel R. (and Cindi) Swanson III; his daughter, Debbie (and Robb) Svendsen; his sister, Margaret Swanson Welch; and his seven grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mr. Samuel Robert Swanson II, and we extend our sincerest condolences to his friends, family, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Swanson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.