HJ0125 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State Representative Joel D. Brunsvold of Milan, who passed away on September 7, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Joel Brunsvold was born on February 26, 1942, in Mason City, Iowa; he was the son of Burnell and Esther Brunsvold; he married Barbara L. Bashaw on February 22, 1964, in Rock Island; and

WHEREAS, Joel Brunsvold graduated from Rock Island High School in 1960, where he was a football and baseball standout; he then earned his bachelor's degree from Augustana College in 1964, where he lettered in both football and baseball; and

WHEREAS, Joel Brunsvold had a distinguished career in education; he began his teaching career at Coyne Center Grade School; he later moved to Sherrard High School, where he taught science and coached football and track; during his teaching career, he was elected to serve as a Trustee for the Village of Milan; he was then elected to serve as Mayor of the Village of Milan in 1977, where he served for 2 successful terms until 1983; and

WHEREAS, In 1982, Joel Brunsvold was elected to serve in the Illinois House of Representatives, where he served with dignity and integrity for 11 terms; as a State Representative, he chaired the House Agriculture and Conservation and Elementary and Secondary Education Committees and was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve as the Democratic Caucus Chairman and Assistant Majority Leader; during this time, he also founded and co-chaired the Illinois Legislative Sportsman's Caucus, an organization that raised money and awareness for outdoor activities for disabled youth; in 2003, he was selected to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, where he served until his retirement in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Joel Brunsvold was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Milan and numerous state and local sports and wildlife organizations; and

WHEREAS, Joel Brunsvold was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerome; his father-in-law, Earl Bashaw; and his brother-in-law, Dennis Bashaw; and

WHEREAS, Joel Brunsvold is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Barbara; his sons and daughter-in-law, Timothy Joel Brunsvold and Theodore J. and Elizabeth Brunsvold; his granddaughters, Lauren and Grace Brunsvold; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Bruce and Penny Brunsvold and Brian and JoAnne Brunsvold; his mother-in-law, Virginia Bashaw; his sister-in-law, Josie Bashaw; and his nephews and nieces and their spouses, Justin, Lisa, and Kari Brunsvold, Douglas (Christie) Brunsvold, Jason Brunsvold, Abby (Ronnie) Mentarbo, and Anna Bashaw; and

WHEREAS, Joel Brunsvold will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a dedicated legislator, a devoted family man, an avid sportsman, and a loyal friend and public servant; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of our former friend and colleague, Joel Brunsvold; and be it further

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