HR0202 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0202 LRB094 11674 CSA 43293 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Peter Paul Ruksza, an esteemed resident of Elmwood Park, on the occasion of the celebration of his 90th birthday on April 7, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ruksza's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are coming together from Montana, New York, Alaska, California, Texas, and Nevada, as well as Crete, Elmwood Park, Willow Brook, Steger, Tinley Park, and Chicago, to join in a commemoration of his 90th birthday; and

WHEREAS, On April 7, 1915, a midwife delivered Peter Paul Ruksza into the loving arms of his parents, Constant Ruksza and the former Mary Dudek; and

WHEREAS, Peter grew up in the back-of-the-yards neighborhood in Chicago, was the proud brother of Mary and Sophia, and learned carpentry skills at the elbow of his father; and

WHEREAS, Peter learned the importance of American citizenship from his immigrant father, and was a model citizen; and

WHEREAS, Peter learned a love for the violin from his grandfather, Karl Dudek, played the fiddle for relaxation throughout his life, and passed on his love for music to his children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Peter attended Tilden High School until the Great Depression when he was forced to drop out and work to help his family survive; and

WHEREAS, Peter began work for Percy Wilson Mortgage and Finance Company as a "gofer" and office boy, went to night school to finish his education, was recognized by his employer for his financial genius, worked for the same firm for over 50 years, exhibited the true spirit of the American work ethic, and retired as a Vice-President; and

WHEREAS, Peter danced, fell in love with, then married the former Mary Eugenia Ignasiak on May 20, 1939, at St. Joseph Church in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Peter and Mary were the proud parents of Dorothy Mary (John Trail), Geraldine Marion (Robert Baader), Arlene Marie (Robert Lenz), and Peter Paul (Victoria Syren); they instilled the value of family in the hearts of their children; and

WHEREAS, Peter and Mary extended the same dedication and family commitment to their grandchildren and grandchildren's spouses: Robert Kinsella Baader (Ann Pignatiello), Mary Katherine Baader (Thomas Kaley), Cecilia Ann Ruksza Baader, Brian Andrew Ruksza Baader (Vivian Mendez), Melissa Kreger, Michelle Kreger, Matthew Paul Trail (Jeri Roberson), and Christopher Glenn Trail; and to their sixteen great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Peter and Mary passed on their belief in the importance of education to their children, ensuring that each earned their college degree, becoming teachers, journalists, marketing analysts, and engineers; and to their grandchildren, who became musicians, a psychologist, computer experts, teachers, a Marine and a Chicago policeman, chemists, and a lumber mill operator, all working to strengthen their communities and country; and

WHEREAS, Peter and Mary instilled strong Christian values in their children, and were members of Assumption Church and St. Mary Magdalene Church in Chicago and St. Anne Church in Hazel Crest; and

WHEREAS, Peter and Mary modeled those values through Christian works and regularly visiting family members and friends in hospitals and nursing homes as long as their health permitted; and

WHEREAS, Peter and Mary enjoyed 58 years of wedded bliss and were observed with warmth as they daily walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Hazel Crest until the Lord parted them in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Peter enriched the life of his daughter Geraldine and her husband Robert when he moved into their Crete home and was able to warm their hearts with his never-ending sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, Peter now resides with his daughter Arlene and her husband Robert in their Elmwood Park home bringing the same kind of warmth and humor to their household; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we extend our heartiest congratulations and wishes to Peter P. Ruksza on the occasion of his 90th birthday; that we commend him for achieving a long and fulfilling life, and we wish him continued happiness and good health in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Peter P. Ruksza as an expression of our respect and esteem.