SJ0048 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0048 LRB099 20973 MST 45944 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is with great humility that the Illinois General Assembly has the opportunity to pay respect and tribute to great individuals who have served our country; and

WHEREAS, Seven Witczak brothers served in the United States Armed Forces; five served during World War II and two in the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, The Witczak brothers are Joseph "Joker", Anthony "Tony", John, Casimir Maurer, Francis "Boy", Thomas "Junior", and Edward Sr.; and

WHEREAS, The Witczak brothers were lifelong residents of La Salle County; they grew up during the Great Depression and knew the meaning of honor and hard work; Anthony "Tony" Witczak, the last surviving brother, began by delivering newspapers for the News Tribune out of La Salle; during World War II, he drove Higgins Boats in the Pacific Ocean despite having never driven a car; and

WHEREAS, The Witczak brothers were separated up by branch, job, and location throughout World War II but kept in close contact through letters; they had numerous opportunities to meet up when their missions allowed; Anthony Witczak recalls this happening mostly at Pearl Harbor; and

WHEREAS, The story of the Witczak brothers is an astonishing and humbling one of commitment to their country and their family; most families that had multiple members overseas bravely serving their country did not have them all return safely to the United States as all of the Witczak brothers did; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Route 251 as it travels from Tonica to Mendota as the "Witczak Brothers Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "Witczak Brothers Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation and the family of the Witczak brothers.