HR0973 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0973 LRB097 21200 GRL 68748 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Robert W. Kaps on the occasion of his retirement as a professor of aviation management at Southern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Robert Kaps earned his master's degrees in industrial relations and legal studies from Webster University in St. Louis; in 1996, he earned his doctorate in workforce education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC); and

WHEREAS, Robert Kaps started his career in aviation with TWA in the late 1960s through an aviation management-training program after earning his bachelor's degree; during his 14 years in various operations positions with TWA, he rose through the ranks to become the airline's director of personnel; in 1978, he relocated to Ozark Airlines, where he became the airline's staff vice president of industrial relations and chief negotiator; and

WHEREAS, In 1981, Robert Kaps began his SIUC career by teaching an off-campus course that focused on airline labor relations; in 1991, he relocated to the Carbondale campus and began teaching undergraduate courses in labor relations and finance and graduate-level courses in international aviation and airport administration; he has also served as a college-level mentor for many years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Kaps is the author of 2 textbooks, "Air Transport Labor Relations" and "Fiscal Aspects of Aviation Management"; he is also the author of 14 professional papers, 17 peer-reviewed articles, and many presentations; and

WHEREAS, Robert Kaps was heavily involved with establishing the Ryan McShane Hope Flys Golf Scramble, which has raised more than $10,000 and culminated in the award of a scholarship and establishment of an endowment fund with the SIU Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Robert Kaps is the 2011 recipient of the E.J. and Mary C. Simon Distinguished Faculty Award in SIUC's College of Applied Sciences and Arts; he also won the William A. Wheatley Award from the University Aviation Association in 2008 for his outstanding contributions to aviation education and was named Teacher of the Year 6 times in 12 years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Kaps and his loving wife, Donna, have 3 grown daughters; and

WHEREAS, Robert Kaps serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Robert W. Kaps on the occasion of his retirement and wish him many happy and healthy retirement years; and be it further

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