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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Lionel J. Gindorf, who passed away on 
4December 5, 2018 at the age of 94; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was born on August 23, 1924 and 
6grew up on the Near West Side and near Midway Airport  during 
7the Great Depression; at six foot three, he was known to most 
8as "Tiny" and lived an extraordinary life; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, During World War II, Lionel Gindorf serviced B-16 
10bombers on the island of Guam in the Pacific; after the war, he 
11returned to Chicago and began his career as a building engineer 
12downtown; he joined Local 399 of the International Union of 
13Operating Engineers (IUOE) in 1946; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf quickly rose through the ranks at 
15Local 399 and earned a reputation as a skilled negotiator and 
16"someone to go to for advice you could count on or if you 
17wanted to get a foot in the door"; In 1956, he became a member 
18of the local's executive board and business agent; he was named 
19financial secretary and assistant to the business manager in 
201977; in 1980, he was elected business manager; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, During his tenure at Local 399, Lionel Gindorf 
 
 
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1oversaw dramatic changes in the craft of operating engineer; in 
21960, drastic revisions were made to the local's training 
3program to accommodate advancements in technology; thus, 
4computer training was initiated and later tied in with a 
5two-year program, which was developed by the IUOE and a Chicago 
6community college and open to all incoming union members; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, In 1994, Lionel Gindorf retired from Local 399, 
8and in his speech, he expressed that for 48 years he "lived and 
9breathed" the union; according to his daughter, "There are no 
10words to capture his real accomplishment and the extent of his 
11influence, which created livelihoods and guaranteed success 
12for generations of families"; she further noted that "he gave a 
13million favors and never asked for one in return, as he 
14considered it his job to take care of people"; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was preceded in death by his wife 
16of 68 years, Anne Gindorf; and
  
 

  
17    WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf is survived by his children, Merry 
18(the late Phil) Nicholson and Jeffrey (Andrea) Gindorf; his 
19grandchildren, Christine Nicholson, John Nicholson, Joie 
20Gindorf, and Jamie Gindorf; his many nieces and nephews; and 
21the numerous people he mentored; therefore, be it
  
 
22    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
 
 
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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
2Lionel J. Gindorf and extend our sincere condolences to his 
3family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
4further
  
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
6presented to the family of Lionel Gindorf as an expression of 
7our deepest sympathy.