HR0827 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0827 LRB093 21805 KEF 49677 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Margaret Blackshere of Niles for being selected as the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor Person of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Blackshere is a former classroom teacher who has served at all levels of the labor movement from president of her local union in Madison to Statewide vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers; she served as secretary and treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO from 1993 to 2000, when she was elected president; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Blackshere received a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in urban education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; and

WHEREAS, She serves on a variety of boards and councils, including the United Way of Illinois, the American Red Cross in Illinois, the Workers' Compensations Advisory Board, the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Board, the Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Board, the Industrial Commission's Self Insurer's Advisory Board, and the Chicago Metropolis 2020 Board; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Blackshere has received awards such as the Labor Leader Award in 2000 from the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the Israel Peace Medal in 2000 from the State of Israel, and the Protector of Working People Award in 2002 from the Illinois State Crime Commission; she was the guest of honor in 2003 for Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade and in 1998 was inducted into the Illinois Labor History Society's Union Hall of Honor; and

WHEREAS, She has been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, served as director of the Illinois Democratic Coordinated Campaign in 1990 and 1992, and is a member of the Democratic National Committee; she was the co-chair of Governor Blagojevich's transition team; she is also a member of the American Federation of Teachers Local 763; and

WHEREAS, She is a strong advocate of working men and women and their families; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Margaret Blackshere for being selected as the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor Person of the Year and wish her good health and happiness in all her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Margaret Blackshere as a token of our respect and esteem.