093_HR0266

 
                                     LRB093 11688 HSS 15312 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, It has come  to  our  attention  that  Ralph  E.
 3    Walberg  of  Mount  Prospect is retiring from his position as
 4    Executive Director for Countryside Association after 37 years
 5    of service; and

 6        WHEREAS, Mr. Walberg attended Augustana College  for  his
 7    Bachelor's  Degree  and  Loyola  University  for his Master's
 8    Degree; he attended graduate classes  in  the  rehabilitation
 9    field at De Paul University; and

10        WHEREAS,  Mr. Walberg has played a very important role in
11    the   success   of   Countryside   Association;   he   became
12    Countryside's Executive Director in 1966 at  which  time  the
13    annual  budget  was  $65,000,  and through his leadership the
14    agency has grown to a $5  million  United  Way  funded  human
15    service  agency  with  200  full and part-time employees that
16    serves 654 children and adults who are disabled; Mr.  Walberg
17    has  been  Countryside's  only  Executive Director overseeing
18    continuity of quality programs and  longevity  of  personnel;
19    since 1975, Countryside Association has been receiving 3-year
20    accreditations   from  the  Commission  on  Accreditation  of
21    Rehabilitation Facilities; this  accreditation  confirms  the
22    efficiency   and  effectiveness  of  the  operations  of  the
23    Association and its four programs; and

24        WHEREAS,  Mr.  Walberg  has  earned  the  esteem  of  the
25    community based non-profit sector  and  the  respect  of  his
26    colleagues;   Countryside's  Board  President,  Amy  Luczkiw,
27    stated  that  Mr.  Walberg  is  the  "heart  and   soul"   of
28    Countryside Association; and

29        WHEREAS, Mr. Walberg has been a board member for 28 years
30    for the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities; he
31    was one of the founders and served as the Board President; he
32    served   on  the  College  of  Lake  County  Early  Childhood
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11688 HSS 15312 r
 1    Committee for 4 years and as president  of  the  Lake  County
 2    ABIC   Council;   he   was   a  board  member  of  the  Mount
 3    Prospect/Prospect Heights United Way for 7 years;  he  served
 4    on  the  District  57  School  Board  for 3 years; he was the
 5    United Way of Suburban Chicago Ambassador  of  Mercy  Speaker
 6    and Tour Program Co-Chairperson for 2 years and Ambassador of
 7    Mercy  for 21 years; and he was a Surveyor Consultant for the
 8    Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities  for
 9    approximately  18  years and performed more than 100 surveys;
10    and

11        WHEREAS, Mr. Walberg is married  to  Barbara,  a  retired
12    teacher,  and  is the father of 3 children: Brian, Nancy, and
13    Susan; he is the grandfather of 8 grandchildren, 7 girls  and
14    one  boy;  the  Walbergs  have  lived in Mount Prospect since
15    1958; Mr. Walberg's mother, Anne Walberg, is 97 years old and
16    is very proud of his many  accomplishments;  he  is  an  avid
17    outdoors  person particularly interested in fishing, boating,
18    and snow-mobiling; most of his activities are enjoyed at  his
19    get-away  home  located  in  the Upper Peninsula of Michigan;
20    therefore, be it

21        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES   OF   THE
22    NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
23    we congratulate Mr. Ralph E. Walberg  on  his  retirement  as
24    Executive  Director  of  Countryside Association and wish him
25    well in the future; and be it further

26        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
27    presented  to  Ralph E. Walberg as a token of our respect and
28    esteem.