Bill Text: IL HR1374 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Lawrence "Larry" Matkaitis of Mt. Greenwood.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2016-11-15 - Resolution Adopted [HR1374 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-HR1374-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Lawrence
"Larry" Matkaitis of Mt. Greenwood, who passed away on July 9,
2016; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Matkaitis was a neighborhood guy; he was
born in Mt. Greenwood on May 25, 1948, and there he married and
raised his family; he often joked that the longest he was ever
away from Mt. Greenwood was when he was in the service; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Matkaitis attended grammar school at St.
Christina Catholic Church; after graduation, he attended
Brother Rice High School; one of his proudest accomplishments
in his teen years was becoming a licensed pilot; he attended
Northern Illinois University until he entered the United States
Army, where he served as a medic during the Vietnam War and was
honorably discharged; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Matkaitis was very proud of his service
to our country; he earned his paramedic license and worked as
an emergency room technician before joining the Chicago Fire
Department in its recently developed paramedic program, where
he was stationed at Ambulance 42 at Engine 13's house at Lake
and Dearborn; and

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WHEREAS, Lawrence Matkaitis proudly served as the first
Director of Emergency Medical Services for Chicago Fire
Fighters Union Local #2; in the Chicago Fire Department, he
rose to the rank of Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner,
Emergency Medical Operations, and Executive Assistant to the
Fire Commissioner before retiring after 30 years of service;
and
WHEREAS, In October of 2010, Lawrence Matkaitis began his
second career in Chicago for the Office of the Illinois State
Fire Marshal; after five years with the Office, he was
appointed by Governor Pat Quinn to be the State Fire Marshal;
he served as an advocate for fire fighters, paramedics, and the
citizens of Illinois; he retired in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Matkaitis was a proud member of several
professional organizations, including the Associated Fire
Fighters of Illinois, the International Association of Fire
Fighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the
Fire Chiefs of Illinois, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, the
Advisory Committee of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and the
Executive Committee of the Illinois Emergency Medical Response
Team; and
WHEREAS, During his career, Lawrence Matkaitis worked with

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and was recognized by many professional organizations,
including the United States Department of Homeland Security,
the National Guard, the United States Secret Service, the
Illinois Fire College, the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, and the
Office of Emergency Management in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his professional responsibilities,
Lawrence Matkaitis was the beloved husband of 38 years of
Valerie; the devoted father of Amber (Louis) Rivera and Daniel
Matkaitis; the "Big Lar" to Aliyah, Liliana, and Anais; the
cherished brother of Jerry (Ruth) Matkaitis, Jimmy Matkaitis,
Nancy (Jim) Sorensen, and Kathy (Kurt) Uhlir; the respected
uncle of many; he is also survived by many dear family members
and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
mourn the passing of Lawrence Matkaitis and extend our sincere
condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Lawrence Matkaitis as a symbol of
our sympathy for his passing and our deep appreciation for his
service to the State of Illinois.