HR1536 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1536 LRB095 22583 KXB 52979 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives have learned of the pending retirement of one of the State's most respected journalists, admired gubernatorial advisers, and insightful academics, Mike Lawrence; and

WHEREAS, While many have been the subject of his commentaries of a somewhat critical nature, it is recognized that Mike Lawrence always grounded his opinions in fact; and

WHEREAS, While some occupants of the ivory tower of academia lack real world experiences, Mike Lawrence has toiled as a journalist, first for the Quad City Times, Lee Enterprises, and the Chicago Sun-Times; and

WHEREAS, He has learned about politics and government from the inside through his work with former Governor Jim Edgar; and

WHEREAS, While with the governor he was known to share his views on journalists and their work in rapid fire, rapid response fashion; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career Mike Lawrence was honored by such groups as the Associated Press Editors Association, the Campaign for Political Reform, and his alma mater, Knox College; and

WHEREAS, Mike Lawrence is retiring as the Director of the Paul Simon Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; it is expected that he will remain an active writer and observer of the political scene in Illinois and beyond; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize that the State of Illinois is a better place because of the work of Mike Lawrence, and we extend our best wishes to him on his retirement, and thank him for his many years of outstanding service to the people of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mike Lawrence as a symbol of our respect and esteem.