We’re not sure what leis have to do with Illinois, but that seemed to be the flair of choice for three retiring members of the Illinois delegation on Sept. 24, 1974. That evening, the Illinois State Society hosted a retirement party, featuring a surprise visit from Prairie State native (and former House Minority Leader) President Gerald Ford (holding the microphone), in the Ways and Means Committee hearing room. Ford had been president for only seven weeks when he arrived to pay tribute to (from left) Minority Whip Leslie Arends (R), Rep. Harold Collier (R) and Rep. Kenny Gray (D).