SR2524 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2524 LRB099 24332 MST 52081 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph Carman Hughes of East Moline, who passed away on December 18, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hughes was born in Hagerstown, Indiana on October 19, 1927; in 1928, his family moved to Anderson, Indiana, where he graduated from high school; he received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy at the end of World War II and enrolled in the School of Agriculture at Purdue University; he married Charlotte Ann Bronnenberg in 1948; and

WHEREAS, While at Purdue University, Ralph Hughes was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Alpha Zeta and the Ceres scholastic honorary fraternities; he received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Purdue in 1951 and was hired by the University Agricultural Experiment Station to edit publications written by the college professors; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, Deere & Company hired Ralph Hughes as an assistant editor for the company farm magazine, The Furrow; in 1960, he became an agricultural advertising copywriter, creating sales literature, magazine ads, and motion picture scripts for a variety of John Deere farm equipment; in 1963, he was entrusted with the challenge to introduce and promote the new line of John Deere lawn and garden tractors and equipment; in 1984, he was named the Worldwide Director of the Deere & Company advertising department; under his leadership, the advertising department coined the slogan "Nothing Runs Like A Deere"; in 1992, he retired from Deere & Company; during his career and after retirement, he authored three books and wrote numerous magazine articles; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hughes was active in his community; he served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman for 10 years and was on the East Moline Park Board for 21 years; and

WHEREAS, For over 30 years, Ralph Hughes researched his family's genealogy; he enjoyed playing bridge with his wife and friends, attending basketball games, taking bus tours, and spending time with his family; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hughes was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, George and Frank Hughes; and his son, R. Charles "Chuck" Hughes; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Hughes is survived by his wife, Charlotte; his daughters, Jane (Rick) Leggett Lampkin, and Cynthia (Larry) Ziegler; his son, William Hughes; his daughter-in-law, Katie Hughes; his grandchildren, Craig (Cara) Ziegler, Madeline Hughes, and Ross Hughes; and two great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ralph Carman Hughes, 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 Ralph Hughes as an expression of our deepest sympathy.