SR0484

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SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
Eugene A. Kowalis of Orland Park; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Eugene Kowalis was born and raised in Bridgeport 
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and attended Tilden High School; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Eugene Kowalis served his country with pride and 
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distinction as a member of the U.S. Army Highway Patrol in 
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Germany during the early 1950s; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, In 1954, Eugene Kowalis married his high school 
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sweetheart, Rosemary, and began his career in the auto industry 
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as a Cadillac salesman in Chicago; starting a successful series 
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of car dealerships, he opened Midlothian Mazda in 1971 and 
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Midlothian Toyota in 1977; in 1984, he moved his family to 
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Orland Park and founded Orland Toyota; in 1989, he acquired the 
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Lexus of Orland and Lexus of Merrillville franchises; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Eugene Kowalis was well known in his community as 
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a philanthropist; when his son, Eugene, was born with 
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developmental challenges, he became involved with St. 
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Coletta's, especially the organization's Caritas Society, and 
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the Kennedy School in Tinley Park; and
  
 
 


 






SR0484
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LRB096 15385 GRL 30540 r




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    WHEREAS, Eugene Kowalis is survived by his wife of 54 
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years, Rosemary; his sons, Eugene, Jeff, and Kurt; and his 6 
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grandchildren; therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of Eugene A. Kowalis; and 
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be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Eugene A. Kowalis as an expression 
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of our sympathy.