HR0742 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0742 LRB097 17251 KXB 62452 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Susan Balling on her retirement as Assistant to the Director for the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association; and

WHEREAS, She began her career with the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) on May 23, 1977; she has provided the ethical leadership and mentoring of younger staff to build NEDSRA into a gold medal winning Association; and

WHEREAS, She received her education at Southern Illinois University; she began her career with NEDSRA as the first Recreation Supervisor; she initiated the first 8 programs and the first 2 day camps; she has played a major role in growing those services to over 800 programs, camps, and services; and

WHEREAS, She was instrumental in creating the first local Special Olympics Track and Field Meet for any Special Recreation Association; in 1982, she was recognized as the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Outstanding Young Professional; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, she was recognized as the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Sections Outstanding Professional in Illinois; in 1996, she was recognized by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) with their Meritorious Service Award; and she received the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Sections Distinguished Service Award in 1999; and

WHEREAS, She has served as a mentor for the NEDSRA staff as well as many other park and recreation professionals for over 30 years; she has published multiple articles for IPRA/IAPD magazine and presented at many parks and recreation State and national conferences; and

WHEREAS, She has organized the development and educational opportunities for the NEDSRA staff for over 30 years and has challenged all of the staff to reach their potential and strive for excellence in their personal performance; she has completed hundreds of studies for the board and staff and the field, in the course of delivering excellent services for people with disabilities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Susan Balling on her retirement and wish her the best in her future endeavors; and be it further

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