92_SR0606
SDS/92BSR0008/LThs
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate of the State
3 of Illinois are grateful to those members who have devoted
4 their energy and talent to the betterment of this body and
5 the well being of the people of the State of Illinois; and
6 WHEREAS, William L. "Bill" O'Daniel of Mt. Vernon was
7 appointed to the Illinois Senate in 1985 and was elected by
8 an overwhelming margin in 1986 and has served this body with
9 distinction throughout his eighteen years as a member; and
10 WHEREAS, During his five terms in the Senate, Senator
11 O'Daniel, served as chairman of the Senate Agriculture and
12 Conservation Committee, as Democratic Caucus Chair, and most
13 recently as Democratic spokesperson of the Senate Agriculture
14 and Conservation Committee; and
15 WHEREAS, Senator O'Daniel has also served on the
16 Committees on Appropriations I, Elections and
17 Reapportionment, Revenue, Transportation, and State
18 Government Operations, the Joint Committee on Administrative
19 Rules, the Illinois Forestry Development Council, the Swine
20 Disease Control Advisory Committee, the Agricultural Export
21 Advisory Committee, the Interagency Rail Passenger Advisory
22 Council, and the Board of State Fair Advisors; and
23 WHEREAS, Senator O'Daniel has amassed numerous
24 legislative accomplishments which have enhanced the quality
25 of life for the people of his southern Illinois district and
26 all of the people of the State of Illinois, including State
27 sales tax exemptions for farm machinery and oil field
28 equipment, creating tax increment financing and enterprise
29 zone designations to spur job creation and economic
30 development, promoting sustainable agriculture and ethanol as
31 an alternative energy source, and enacting tough penalties
32 against persons who sell drugs on or near the grounds of
-2- SDS/92BSR0008/LThs
1 places of worship; and
2 WHEREAS, Senator O'Daniel built a solid reputation as one
3 of Illinois' foremost authorities on agricultural issues, he
4 was appointed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter to serve as
5 state executive director of the Agricultural Stabilization
6 and Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of
7 Agriculture; and
8 WHEREAS, Prior to his appointment by President Carter,
9 Senator O'Daniel served as a member of the Illinois House
10 from 1974-77; and
11 WHEREAS, As a longtime farmer and businessman, a
12 decorated World War II veteran and devoted family man,
13 Senator O'Daniel brought to the Senate a common sense,
14 bi-partisan approach to the business of the body that shall
15 be remembered fondly by those who served with him; therefore,
16 be it
17 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL
18 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, That we offer our best
19 wishes to Senator William L. "Bill" O'Daniel upon his
20 retirement from the Senate; we offer hope for a rewarding
21 future with his wife, Norma, their five children and eight
22 grandchildren, and one great-grand child; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this preamble and
24 resolution be presented to Senator William L. "Bill" O'Daniel
25 as a measure of our esteem and respect for our colleague and
26 friend.