HR1693 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1693 LRB095 23300 GRL 54014 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Michael S. Thomson, Issues Development Staff Director for the House Democratic Caucus, as he concludes 13 years of service to Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and the people of our State; and

WHEREAS, Mike began his career in 1996 as a Program Specialist on the Speaker's Springfield Issues Development Staff; in 1997, he moved to Coal City to serve in the district office of State Representative Mary K. O'Brien; in 1998, he returned to Springfield to continue his work for the Speaker at the State Capitol; in 1999, he was appointed Issues Development Staff Assistant Director and, in 2003, became the Director; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure as Director, Mike has provided excellent counsel to the Speaker and members of the Democratic Caucus; he has ably led his staff in its mission to help Democratic members communicate with their constituents, provide responsive government service, and pass legislation beneficial to their districts; on session days he has done yeoman's work in helping to manage the flow of legislation in committees and leading a team of fellow staff members to do the same on the House floor; throughout his tenure he has spearheaded multiple successful efforts to bring government to the people via regional forums and town hall meetings on legislation and public policy topics of Statewide significance; and

WHEREAS, Mike has played a key role in helping to pass legislation to improve the lives of his fellow Illinoisans, including measures to provide electric rate relief, increase the minimum wage, expand health care access to the uninsured, revise the State's telecommunications laws, modernize the workers' compensation system, and strengthen ethics and elections statutes; and

WHEREAS, Mike displays all the qualities that one hopes for in a leader; known for his organizational skills and interest in keeping everything in its rightful place, he manages the details while never losing sight of the big picture; he has served as a mentor to young staff members and takes satisfaction in the success of his colleagues; he would never ask anyone to do something he has not done or was unprepared to do himself; he truly believes that the buck stops with him; he has maintained an open-door policy with his staff, an offer which many were happy to take up as need arose; although hardly a "soft-touch", his insistence on accountability was tempered by compassion shown to those who occasionally fell short of the expectations placed upon them; a signature phrase of his, "no pride of authorship", illustrates his preference that the interests of the greater good always come before individual distinction; and

WHEREAS, Mike served as Issues Staff Director at one of the most difficult and challenging times in our State's history; although the easy course would have been simply to acquiesce and urge that a go-along-to-get-along approach to governance be adopted, he stood firmly with, and gladly helped to fight the battles of, Speaker Madigan and the House Democratic Caucus in their steadfast resistance to those who would trample upon the Illinois Constitution, disregard our laws or attempt to usurp the lawful prerogatives of the legislative branch; in so doing, demonstration was given that there are still many public servants who are willing to put the best interests of the State ahead of narrow partisan concerns; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work as a member of the Speaker's legislative staff, Mike is also a veteran of many hard-fought political campaigns; after getting his start as a volunteer for former President Bill Clinton in 1992, Mike went on to play important roles in many Statewide, legislative, judicial, and municipal campaigns; among his many accomplishments in this arena, he was a key member of the team that helped to engineer the upset win of Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Mike also served as the Political Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois from 2003 to 2008; in that capacity, he led the staff through three primary and three general election campaigns, preserving the House Democratic majorities in each election; while many in the world of political campaigns have their particular talents, Mike is the consummate multi-role player - from candidate recruitment, to message development, to television and radio script writing, to media planning, to field organizing, to Get Out the Vote tactics on Election Day - he is the rare individual that does them all and does them well; and

WHEREAS, Despite his achievements, humility and an acute awareness of his good fortune remain central to Mike's exceptional character; an incredible work ethic, commitment to excellence in all things, first-rate mind, strategic and tactical brilliance, rapier wit, superb temperament, and loyalty to his friends are all qualities of this decent and honorable man; he is regarded by all that know him as a class-act and every bit a person of his word; and

WHEREAS, While justly proud of his many professional accomplishments, in Mike's eyes they pale in comparison to the pride he feels in his family; he is the devoted husband of Rachael, his high school sweetheart and extraordinarily understanding, patient, and supportive wife who has been with him every step of the way; they were married on October 19, 1996; they are the loving and doting parents of Ellie McKeefery Thomson, age 8, and Matthew John Thomson, age 6; among his many ambitions for his post-staff life is to spend as much time as possible watching and helping them to grow up; and

WHEREAS, Although ever the consummate professional, Mike understands that life is more than work; he bleeds orange and blue and takes a backseat to none when it comes to his devotion to the Fighting Illini basketball; he also enjoys cheering for the U of I football team; as irrefutable proof that he is an optimist at heart, this man of otherwise reserved bearing wears his feelings on his sleeve when it comes to rooting for his beloved Chicago Cubs; and

WHEREAS, Mike is a proud son of Illinois; he was born in Princeton, Illinois on April 13, 1971 to parents John and Carol Thomson; he is the brother of Paula Lough of Ohio, Illinois and Jim Thomson of Richmond, Virginia; Mike grew up in Princeton, graduated from Princeton High School in 1989, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Western Illinois University in 1993 and 1995; and

WHEREAS, Mike is a great friend to many across Illinois; he is sure to remain engaged in civic life and make equally noteworthy contributions to the betterment of our State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Michael S. Thomson on his many years of hard work as a valuable member of House Speaker Michael J. Madigan's staff and wish him the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Michael S. Thomson as a symbol of our sincere respect and admiration for his service and accomplishments.