HR1126 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1126 LRB098 21416 GRL 59855 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize the installation of Eugena Whitson-Owen as the president of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Eugena Whitson-Owen joined the law firm, Kurt E. Olsen, a member company of Zurich Insurance Group; she practices in all areas of civil defense litigation, concentrating on the defense of matters arising out of construction and product liability having tried numerous cases before a jury in both State and federal courts; and

WHEREAS, Eugena Whitson-Owen is very active in local and State bar associations, including the Women's Bar Association of Illinois, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel; and

WHEREAS, Eugena Whitson-Owen was recognized in 2008 and 2009 as an Illinois Rising Star by Law & Politics magazine and as one of the "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch" by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company; she has also been recognized by the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel with its Meritorious Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Eugena Whitson-Owen received her law degree in 1996 from the John Marshall Law School; prior to joining Kurt E. Olsen, she was a partner at the law firm of SmithAmundsen and an equity partner and owner of Moore, Strickland, & Whitson-Owen; and

WHEREAS, Eugena Whitson-Owen will be sworn in as the Women's Bar Association of Illinois President at its Centennial Gala Installation Dinner, which will take place on June 6, 2014 at the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier in Chicago; this year's theme is "Building on Our Legacy"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize and congratulate Eugena Whitson-Owen on the occasion of becoming President of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois and wish her all the best as she assumes the position; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Eugena Whitson-Owen as an expression of our esteem and respect.