HR1380 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1380 LRB097 23356 MST 72205 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Representative Jerry Mitchell on his retirement from the Illinois House; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jerry Mitchell began serving in the Illinois House in 1995; after he completes his final term, he will have served 9 terms as state representative; he represents the 90th district, which includes all of Lee County and portions of Ogle, Whiteside, and Henry counties; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jerry Mitchell has been a relentless advocate for schools and education; he has been a champion of charter schools and their expansion in the State; he was the Republican spokesperson for the elementary and secondary education committees for numerous years; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jerry Mitchell has had a long career in education, serving as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent; he graduated with a bachelor's of science from Eureka College in 1968, and earned a masters' in education administration from Illinois State University in 1974; he received an education specialist degree from Western Illinois University in 1992; he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960-1964; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jerry Mitchell has received numerous awards acknowledging his commitment to the citizens of his district, including the Friends of Agriculture Award from the Illinois Agriculture Association, the Reader's Choice Award for "Favorite Politician" by Sauk Valley Newspaper from 2001-2008, the "Champion of Free Enterprise" by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010, and in 2008, he was named Legislator of the Year by the Illinois School Counselors Association; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jerry Mitchell is married to Jan, and is a father of three, with three grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rep. Jerry Mitchell on his retirement from the Illinois House of Representatives and wish him much success in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rep. Jerry Mitchell as an expression of our respect and esteem.