HR0507 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0507 LRB097 13025 KXB 57530 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Fire Chief Emeritus Paul H. Boecker of the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, who passed away on August 14, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Chief Boecker began his career with the Naperville Fire Department in 1952; he left there as a Captain to become the Chief of the Lisle Fire Department in 1971; he was instrumental in turning the volunteer fire department into a full-time paid fire district during his tenure; and

WHEREAS, His guidance expanded the fire district to 5 fire stations and more than 80 personnel; under his leadership, the fire district attained an Insurance Service Office (ISO) Class 1 designation before his retirement in 1994; and

WHEREAS, During his career he received 9 Awards of Commendation, 4 Awards of Merit, and the coveted Firefighter of the Year Award in 1993 from the fire district, and he was named Employee of the Year in Woodridge; during the devastating tornado that struck Plainfield in 1990, Chief Boecker's efforts were noteworthy and he was one of 12 recipients of recognition for his outstanding leadership following the tornado; in 1983, he was one of 2 Chiefs honored with the Dictograph Security Company "Public Safety Award"; and

WHEREAS, He was awarded the "Mason Lankford" fire service award, which was named after a personal friend; Chief Boecker served on several regional and national committees throughout his career and received many awards along the way; in 1954, he began the "Keep the Wreath Red" program, later adopted by DuPage County, and eventually recognized by the State of Illinois; he served as a charter member of the Educational Research Foundation for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and as their President in 1980; in 1982 he was named as the Fire Chief of the Year in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, He served as a Field Instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute for more than 30 years and was the Chairman of the Illinois Fire College from 1972 until 1996; he served as a Co-Chairman for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Firefighter Funeral Committee; he was also a Founding Member, Director, and President of the DuPage Hundred Club, which provides benefits and support to spouses and families of fire and police officers who have lost their lives in the line-of-duty; Chief Boecker also served on a national level in various capacities with the National Fire Academy, International Fire Chiefs, Federal Management Emergency Agency, and several other fire schools; and

WHEREAS, Chief Boecker is survived by his wife, Sonja J. Boecker (Sinclair); his son, Paul H. Boecker III and his wife, Nancy (Martin) and their 2 children, Paul H. Boecker IV and John J. Boecker; his son, Alex J. Boecker and his wife, Krissie (Kegaly) and their son, Alex J. Boecker Jr.; and his sister, Ann S. Boecker; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his friends, family, fellow firefighters, and a grateful community, the passing of Chief Boecker; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Fire Chief Paul Boecker as a symbol of our sincere sympathy and respect.