SR1549 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1549 LRB098 23106 GRL 62081 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George K. Knudsen of Pontiac, who passed away on October 24, 2014; and

WHEREAS, George Knudsen was born on August 20, 1936 in Dwight; his parents were George Nelson and Leila Gertrude (nee Parker) Knudsen; he married Germaine Centko on July 5, 1958; and

WHEREAS, A native of Livingston County, George Knudsen was educated in Dwight schools; he subsequently attended Illinois Wesleyan University and graduated from Illinois State University; he was also a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the National Defense University; and

WHEREAS, George Knudsen enlisted in the Illinois National Guard 129th Infantry Regiment, Company B as a private in 1959, the same battalion in which his great-grandfather served in during the Civil War; being the son of a Danish immigrant, it was his privilege to serve on active duty in the Army Reserve and in the Illinois National Guard; his service included serving the State of Illinois and its citizens in times of floods, natural disasters, and civil disturbances; he retired at the rank of colonel in 1991, after 32 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, George Knudsen was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations for his service, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Illinois Long and Honorable Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, George Knudsen retired from a management position at Caterpillar, Inc. after more than 40 years of service in 1996; following his retirement, he remained active in veterans' affairs, having served as Chairman of the Livingston County Veterans Assistance Commission and as a member of the Livingston County Board; he also worked on restoring the Livingston County Poor Farm Cemetery for 5 years, worked on the Lincoln statue on the Livingston County Courthouse lawn, and was a speaker at local Memorial Day celebrations for many years; and

WHEREAS, George Knudsen was a member of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, Cursillo, the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree), the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the National Guard Association of Illinois, and the National Guard Association of the United States; he was also a life member of American Veterans and served as a member of the Color and Honor Guard of the combined American Veterans; and

WHEREAS, George Knudsen was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Frances; and

WHEREAS, George Knudsen is survived by his wife, Germaine; a son, G. Christian (Julie) Knudsen; 2 daughters, Kay (David) Heller and Kim (Jeffrey) Longbons; 6 grandchildren, Letitia and Grace Longbons, William Heller, and Sadie, Maya, and Gavin Knudsen; and a brother, Thomas Knudsen; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of George K. Knudsen; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of George Knudsen as an expression of our sympathy.