SR1255 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1255 LRB099 15474 MST 39761 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leslie H. "Les" Black of Taylor Ridge, who passed away on September 25, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Les Black was born in Lancaster, Kentucky on March 3, 1934 to William and Margaret Kavanaugh Black; he served in the United States Army and graduated from Kentucky State University in 1960 while a member of the Army Reserve; and

WHEREAS, Les Black immediately began his federal service career at the Ordnance Intern Training Center in Toledo, Ohio; he proudly served 19 of his 38-year federal career as the Director, Directorate of Industrial Operations, Rock Island Arsenal and its predecessor organizations; in 1999, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame, where he was described as "a leader in the Army's efforts to modernize its tool resources"; and

WHEREAS, Les Black advocated quality tool kits and tools for soldiers and continuously sought ways to improve the quality of products in the Army Tool Kit Program; he led the design and development of three prototype tool kits, which were successfully field-tested in 1997; his modification of 5-ton trucks with Organization Shop Sets and Tool Kit programs in 1994 with its laser-etched tools, foam inserts, and computerized inventory list resulted in substantial cost savings for aviation maintenance units worldwide; his Tool Kits and Tool Chest Program in 1996 were adopted as a means to overhaul the Army's hand tool inventory; he developed and introduced inexpensive, lightweight tool boxes as replacements for the expensive heavy metal boxes for aviation tools; his new tool boxes were appreciated by troops in the field because they were lighter, corrosion free, and easier to transport; during the Persian Gulf War, he and his staff responded to an urgent call for help from the commander of 2 Iowa National Guard units to paint their equipment for deployment in 3 days; they worked around the clock to wash, mask, paint, and stencil all 103 vehicles in time for deployment; his organization earned the personal thanks of the President of the United States and then- Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney for their "unselfish and generous contribution to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces serving in the Persian Gulf"; also under his leadership, the Directorate of Industrial Operations completed the prototype production of the Heavy Mobility Contact Maintenance Trucks; their success led to the funding of 125 additional units; according to the Ordnance Corps, "Mr. Black earned a stellar reputation as one of the country's best future-thinking leaders making it possible for the Ordnance Corps to stride into the 21st Century with confidence and ready to serve the line with honor"; and

WHEREAS, Les Black is survived by his wife of 43 years, Liliane Brechet; his daughter, Cherie Black; his daughter, Christine Black; his brother, Lee M. Black; his brother-in-law, Pierre (Elizabeth) Brechet; his 2 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends in the states and overseas; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leslie H. "Les" Black, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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