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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to honor our esteemed colleague,
4Illinois State Representative Mark Walker, for his dedicated
5service to the people of the State of Illinois; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Representative Walker was elected to serve as
7State Representative in November of 2008; he has faithfully
8served the 66th District in the Illinois House of
9Representatives during the 96th General Assembly; he has been a
10tireless advocate for his district and a strong voice for his
11constituents; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Prior to his election, Representative Walker
13proudly enlisted in the United States Army and served in
14Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for his service; as co-chair
15of the Northwest Suburban Veterans Advisory Council, he
16continues working to improve the quality of care that injured
17veterans receive from Illinois' medical facilities, including
18access to mental health counseling for veterans suffering from
19post-traumatic stress disorder; and
 
20    WHEREAS, After his service to our country and an honorable
21discharge from the Army, Representative Walker earned
22bachelor's and master's degrees from Brown University before

 

 

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1starting a successful career in the financial services
2industry; and
 
3    WHEREAS, During his tenure in the Illinois House of
4Representatives, Representative Walker has been a thoughtful
5and effective member of the Access to Federal Funding,
6Appropriations-Human Services, Cities & Villages,
7International Trade & Commerce, and Veterans' Affairs
8committees; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Representative Walker has shepherded many
10beneficial and meaningful pieces of legislation through the
11General Assembly; he sponsored legislation assisting the
12survivors of fallen service members; he has also helped to
13reform State government and to increase the transparency of its
14operations; protect children from dangerous sexual predators,
15impeach corrupt former Governor Rod Blagojevich, and encourage
16business development in Illinois; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Representative Walker vigorously fought to roll
18back a burdensome sales tax in Cook County and to protect
19Illinois consumers and businesses by passing legislation that
20makes it easier for the Cook County Board of Commissioners to
21override a board president's veto; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Beyond his tenure in the House, Representative

 

 

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1Walker has also served on the Arlington Heights Park Foundation
2Board, leading efforts to renovate and revive Arlington
3Heights' historic Memorial Park; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Representative Walker and his wife, Joan, have
5lived in Arlington Heights for over 25 years and are the proud
6parents of their son, Stephen; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Representative Walker has served the people of
8Illinois with distinction, especially with regards to his
9efforts to keep businesses and jobs in the State, his
10impressive work on behalf of his fellow veterans, and his drive
11to bring a more business-minded sensibility to the management
12of the State's budget and finances; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
15honor State Representative Mark Walker for his dedicated
16service to the people of Illinois and the residents of his
17district and wish him much success and happiness in his future
18endeavors; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to Representative Mark Walker as a symbol of our
21esteem and respect.