HR1299 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1299 LRB096 22458 GRL 41711 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Frank S. Ladner of Lawrenceville on the occasion of receiving the prestigious Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation for Service for 2010 from Vincennes University; and

WHEREAS, Frank Ladner was born in Fargo, North Dakota; at an early age, he set a goal to complete college in 3 years, which he did in 1948, when he received his bachelor's degree in business administration from St. John's University in Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from college, Frank Ladner went to Lawrenceville in 1948 to serve as the first full-time agent for the Golden Rule Life Insurance Company; within a year, he co-founded the L&R Sales Organization; in 1961, he co-founded a stock life insurance company named Congressional Life; in 1977, Congressional Life was renamed Golden Rule Insurance and Ladner and his partner purchased the mutual company in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Frank Ladner has been active in helping his community for many years, intensifying his efforts on behalf of the community since 2004; his contributions include the construction of a medical clinic, the founding of the Lawrence County Vocational Technical Center, and providing major support for the construction of a 2-story parking garage and re-built offices for Golden Rule Insurance following a fire; the re-built office building was renamed the Frank S. Ladner Building; he also donated $1.5 million to Vincennes University to support the development of the Haas CNC Training Center, which will help area manufacturers and employees to remain competitive with the best practices in the world; and

WHEREAS, Frank Ladner is a member of the Bi-State Authority, with past service as the organization's chair; he has been a leader in promoting new airport facilities and an expanded economic development role for the Mid-American Air Center; he is a member of the Lawrence County Medical Services Foundation; he also serves as vice chair of the Bank of Lawrence County and director of R.T. Jones, F.S. Ladner and Assoc., Inc, a St. Louis brokerage firm; and

WHEREAS, Frank Ladner has been a recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his service to his community; the St. John's University Alumni Association presented Mr. Ladner with its highest alumni honor, the Father Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award, in recognition of his major support for his alma mater; he is the recipient of the Lawrenceville Elks 2009 Citizen of the Year Award, the Lawrenceville Rotary 2008 Outstanding Service Award, and the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital Forward Look Award in 1980 and 2007; he is also the recipient of the Civitan International Outstanding Service Award, the Lawrence County Medical Foundation Certificate of Outstanding and Dedicated Service, the Lawrence County Industrial Council Outstanding Community Service Award, and recognitions from both Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and St. John's University for his service from 1985 to 1999 on the St. John's Board of Regents; he subsequently served on the Board of Overseers of Saint John's School of Theology Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Frank Ladner and his loving wife, Julia, have been married since 1952; the couple has 6 children, Peggy, Tom, Julie, Will, Mary, and Ann Marie, and 11 grandchildren, Nancy, Frank, Jennifer, Jason, Helen, Robert, Joe, Todd, Aaron, Nathan, and Thomas; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Frank S. Ladner of Lawrenceville on the occasion of receiving the prestigious Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation for Service for 2010 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 Frank Ladner as a symbol of our esteem and respect.