HR0657 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0657 LRB097 14769 GRL 59794 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Shorty Mills for his many accomplishments and thank him for his service to his community; and

WHEREAS, Shorty Mills was born Vincent Mills on February 19, 1943, at the Illinois Research Hospital; his parents are Ruby and Charles Mills; a fatal accident took the life of Shorty's father when he was 3 years old; his mother then raised 6 boys alone; and

WHEREAS, Shorty Mills is one of the most respected living martial art instructors in the world; his martial arts career began in 1956, at the age of 14; since that time, he has amassed the following credentials: 10th Degree Black Belt in Pagoda Ryu (1996); Founder of the Pagoda Ryu Martial Arts System, which was tested and certified as a viable system of martial arts in 1996 by the world Martial Arts Federation and the Midwest United Martial Arts Association; 10th Degree Black Belt in Shuri Ryu (1996); 10th Degree Black Belt in Moo Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do (1993); 6th Degree Black Belt in Aikido from the Yoshinkai System of Aikido (1985); 5th Degree Black Belt in Kendo (1980); he is also a licensed airplane pilot (instrument rated), a certified diver (multi-ratings), a licensed electrical engineer and electrical contractor, and a member of the Rotary Club and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Shorty Mills attended and graduated from Chicago Vocational High School; he subsequently earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1964, his master's degree in operations research from Roosevelt University in 1982, his master's degree in urban development/city planning from Northwestern University in 1985, and his Ph.D. in martial science from the University of Connecticut in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Shorty Mills joined the United States Navy in 1964; in 1965, he was admitted into the United States Navy Officers Candidate School; in 1968, he served in Vietnam for a total of 26 months; after completing his two 13-month tours in Vietnam, he was stationed aboard the USS Sylvania for a year; he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Shorty Mills played professional basketball in Italy in 1969 until an injury forced him to leave the game; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, Shorty Mills met the love of his life; in 1995, he married Pamela Annette Mills; together, they have 2 beautiful daughters, Christina and Tiffanie; in 1997, Shorty moved his family to Dynasty Lakes in Hazel Crest; and

WHEREAS, Shorty Mills' devotion to his art has extended into volunteering for various community events; he has developed self defense training programs for the Cook County Sheriff's Court Services Department; he has developed and taught rape prevention seminars for the Cook County Sheriff's Department and the Chicago Police Department; he also helps underprivileged children in becoming the best they can be through his non-profit organization, Pagoda Ryu System; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Shorty Mills for his many accomplishments and thank him for his service to his community; and be it further

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