SR1255LRB099 15474 MST 39761 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Leslie H. "Les" Black of Taylor Ridge,
4who passed away on September 25, 2015; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Les Black was born in Lancaster, Kentucky on March
63, 1934 to William and Margaret Kavanaugh Black; he served in
7the United States Army and graduated from Kentucky State
8University in 1960 while a member of the Army Reserve; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Les Black immediately began his federal service
10career at the Ordnance Intern Training Center in Toledo, Ohio;
11he proudly served 19 of his 38-year federal career as the
12Director, Directorate of Industrial Operations, Rock Island
13Arsenal and its predecessor organizations; in 1999, he was
14inducted into the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame, where
15he was described as "a leader in the Army's efforts to
16modernize its tool resources"; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Les Black advocated quality tool kits and tools
18for soldiers and continuously sought ways to improve the
19quality of products in the Army Tool Kit Program; he led the
20design and development of three prototype tool kits, which were
21successfully field-tested in 1997; his modification of 5-ton
22trucks with Organization Shop Sets and Tool Kit programs in

 

 

SR1255- 2 -LRB099 15474 MST 39761 r

11994 with its laser-etched tools, foam inserts, and
2computerized inventory list resulted in substantial cost
3savings for aviation maintenance units worldwide; his Tool Kits
4and Tool Chest Program in 1996 were adopted as a means to
5overhaul the Army's hand tool inventory; he developed and
6introduced inexpensive, lightweight tool boxes as replacements
7for the expensive heavy metal boxes for aviation tools; his new
8tool boxes were appreciated by troops in the field because they
9were lighter, corrosion free, and easier to transport; during
10the Persian Gulf War, he and his staff responded to an urgent
11call for help from the commander of 2 Iowa National Guard units
12to paint their equipment for deployment in 3 days; they worked
13around the clock to wash, mask, paint, and stencil all 103
14vehicles in time for deployment; his organization earned the
15personal thanks of the President of the United States and then-
16Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney for their "unselfish and
17generous contribution to the men and women of the United States
18Armed Forces serving in the Persian Gulf"; also under his
19leadership, the Directorate of Industrial Operations completed
20the prototype production of the Heavy Mobility Contact
21Maintenance Trucks; their success led to the funding of 125
22additional units; according to the Ordnance Corps, "Mr. Black
23earned a stellar reputation as one of the country's best
24future-thinking leaders making it possible for the Ordnance
25Corps to stride into the 21st Century with confidence and ready
26to serve the line with honor"; and
 

 

 

SR1255- 3 -LRB099 15474 MST 39761 r

1    WHEREAS, Les Black is survived by his wife of 43 years,
2Liliane Brechet; his daughter, Cherie Black; his daughter,
3Christine Black; his brother, Lee M. Black; his brother-in-law,
4Pierre (Elizabeth) Brechet; his 2 grandchildren; and numerous
5nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends in the
6states and overseas; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
9Leslie H. "Les" Black, and extend our sincere condolences to
10his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
11further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the family of Les Black as an expression of our
14deepest sympathy.