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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives recognize that a significant era in Illinois
4history is about to conclude on May 16, 2011; and
 
5    WHEREAS, We are pleased to recognize Mayor Richard M. Daley
6for his outstanding service, decades of diligent work on behalf
7of the people of Chicago, and countless contributions toward
8making Illinois a better place; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The fourth of seven children and the eldest son of
10Eleanor and Richard J. Daley, Richard M. Daley was born on
11April 24, 1942; he graduated from De La Salle Academy and
12earned undergraduate and law degrees from DePaul University;
13and
 
14    WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley began his public service through
15his service in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and in
161969, when he was elected to serve as an Illinois
17Constitutional Convention delegate; and
 
18    WHEREAS, We take great pride in noting that Richard M.
19Daley, like his father, Richard J. Daley, and his brother, John
20P. Daley, learned the art of governing, compromise, and
21coalition building in the chambers of the Illinois state

 

 

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1legislature; and
 
2    WHEREAS, As a member of the Illinois Senate, Richard M.
3Daley led the fight to remove the sales tax on food and
4medicine, championed landmark measures to improve mental
5health care, and established clear-cut, enforceable rights for
6nursing home residents; and
 
7    WHEREAS, From 1980 to 1989, Richard M. Daley served as the
8Cook County State's Attorney, establishing a record as a tough
9narcotics prosecutor and overhauling laws against rape to
10ensure convictions; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Since his first election as mayor in 1989, Richard
12M. Daley earned a much deserved reputation in the City and
13beyond for improving the quality of life, bettering the public
14schools of Chicago, modernizing public transit, and helping
15Chicago become among the most environmentally friendly cities
16in the world; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley's innovative, community-based
18programs continue to tackle the fundamental challenges facing
19urban America - quality schools, safe neighborhoods, and work
20and business opportunities that stretch to every neighborhood;
21and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, As a result of Richard M. Daley's focus on
2improving public education, student test scores have risen,
3dropout rates have fallen, more students are prepared for
4college or some form of higher education, and what critics once
5labeled one of the worst public school systems in the country
6has become a national model for reform; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley visualized the need for more
8diverse entities like World Business Chicago, and sustained the
9spirit and vitality of Chicago with fresh approaches to the
10city center, opening Millennium Park, restoring an
11irreplaceable treasure, Navy Pier, and ensuring the
12modernization of O'Hare International Airport to guarantee its
13place as one of the world's true aviation hubs; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Despite the great growth Chicago has seen during
15his tenure, Richard M. Daley has made it an ongoing priority to
16control spending, implement innovative techniques, and hold
17government to higher standards of accountability; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley used his legislative skills to
19lobby for strong and sensible gun safety laws, measures which
20recognized human rights and civil unions, and critically needed
21property tax relief for seniors; and
 
22    WHEREAS, This thoughtful approach earned Richard M. Daley

 

 

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1numerous recognitions, such as being named as a Visionary for
2Sustainability by the highly respected National Building
3Museum, being picked by Governing Magazine as their Public
4Official of the Year, being recognized by Time Magazine as the
5nation's top urban executive, and being the recipient of the
6Martin Luther King/Robert F. Kennedy Award from the Coalition
7to Stop Gun Violence/Education Fund to End Handgun Violence;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Throughout this diverse professional career,
10Richard M. Daley remained a devoted husband to Maggie and an
11inspirational father to Nora, Patrick, Elizabeth, and the late
12Kevin; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15we express our gratitude to Richard M. Daley for his
16contributions to the betterment of the State of Illinois and
17the City of Chicago and wish him the best in his future
18endeavors; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to Mayor Richard M. Daley as a symbol of our respect
21and esteem.