HR0497 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0497 LRB096 12673 GRL 27707 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Dr. Robert Bloom for his many achievements and his retirement as Executive Director of Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, He grew up in Chicago's Logan Square and graduated from Avondale Elementary School and Carl Schurz High School with honors; Dr. Bloom holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Chicago, a Master's of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota; and he has completed specialized training in various related fields at Columbia and Harvard Universities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Bloom is the Executive Director of the Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago (a two-year old merger of the Jewish Children's Bureau and the Jewish Family and Community Service); for over 30 years, he has worked as a teacher, therapist, consultant, program director, and executive administrator in the fields of educational and psychological services to children with disabilities and their families; and

WHEREAS, He has taught many courses on child development and childhood psychopathology; he has had many works published, most recently on risk management topics such as institutional child sexual abuse, the malpractice risks of working in a managed behavioral health care system, and the management of residential treatment centers; and

WHEREAS, Before becoming the Executive Director at the Jewish Children's Bureau, Dr. Bloom was Chairman of Special Education at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, where he developed the nation's first special education program that included working with families of children with disabilities; he integrated work with families and work with children as the Director of Residential Treatment at Bellefaire/Jewish Children's Bureau in Cleveland, Ohio; former President Carter appointed Dr. Bloom as a consultant, representing families with disabled members, to the White House Conference on Families; and United States Department of Human Services Secretary Thompson appointed Dr. Bloom to the steering committee for Adopt US Kids; and

WHEREAS, He has been a Chicago Cubs fan since he was nine years old; Ernie Banks was and is his hero and his favorite professional athlete; he has an autographed baseball and photo that says "to Bob, Let's Play Two, Ernie" that is one of his most treasured possessions; and

WHEREAS, There is no Hebrew word for retirement, because we all should continue learning and mentoring after our management careers end; Dr. Bloom is continuing on as a social work instructor, helping to prepare a new generation of caring human service professionals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the beloved Dr. Bloom for his many achievements and his upcoming retirement and wish him continued success in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Robert Bloom as a symbol of our respect.