HR1161LRB097 21883 KXB 70600 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased that the Dennis J. Smith Legacy
4Foundation will posthumously award its 2012 Caring for the
5Community Award to Cory Blanchette; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Foundation created the Caring for the
7Community Award to recognize people who serve the greater
8Kankakee County area with dignity and selflessness, and it is
9posthumously conferring that award on Cory Blanchette to
10applaud his service to his students, student-athletes, and the
11entire Manteno community; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Cory Blanchette grew up in rural Manteno and
13graduated from Manteno High School in 1992; he is survived by
14his wife, Alisa, and his children, Luke, Addison, Brooke, and
15Kendall; he was the son of Linda Blanchette and the late Ray
16Blanchette; his siblings are Craig and Carrie; and
 
17    WHEREAS, He worked as a Union Pipefitter after graduation;
18in 2006, he started coaching football and wrestling at Manteno
19and joined the faculty as a special education teacher in 2010;
20his love of all things Manteno High School was matched only by
21his devotion to the Chicago Cubs; and
 

 

 

HR1161- 2 -LRB097 21883 KXB 70600 r

1    WHEREAS, At Manteno High School, he was known for his work
2ethic, ability to connect with students, and his pursuit of
3excellence; he was a dedicated teacher and inspired his
4students and colleagues at the school; he worked hard with his
5student-athletes to make sure they succeeded in the classroom
6as well as on the playing field; and
 
7    WHEREAS, He and his wrestling squad could be found on
8weekends raking leaves or doing chores for elderly residents;
9when deadly tornadoes ripped through Joplin, Missouri last
10spring, his team collected supplies and loaded them onto relief
11trucks heading south; he was a loved and respected part of the
12community and is truly missed; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15we mourn the late Cory Blanchette and extend our sympathies to
16his family and friends; that we honor him for his service to
17the community of Manteno; and we thank the Dennis J. Smith
18Legacy Foundation for posthumously awarding him the 2012 Caring
19for the Community Award; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21presented to the family of Cory Blanchette as a symbol of our
22respect.