HR1064 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1064 LRB099 20956 MST 45877 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Greg Koos on the occasion of his retirement as the Executive Director of the McLean County Museum of History; and

WHEREAS, Greg Koos has served the McLean County Museum of History for 39 years; he was first hired as a part-time employee; he then became the full-time Archivist and Site Manager; he assumed his current role as Executive Director in 1987; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County Museum of History has become an American Alliance of Museums accredited museum under his leadership; and

WHEREAS, With Greg Koos' unwavering dedication to preserving local history and his commitment to assuring access to it, he has transformed the museum and its library and archives, with its educational programs and exhibits for all ages, into a thriving destination in downtown Bloomington and all of McLean County; and

WHEREAS, Greg Koos has authored several successful project grants; he has been a successful fundraiser, providing diversified public and private funds for the museum's financial sustainability; and

WHEREAS, Greg Koos has been a strong advocate for museums, archives, and historic sites, serving in a variety of leadership roles on several local and State boards, commissions, and councils, including the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the McLean County Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Museum Services, and the Illinois State Historical Society, and others; and

WHEREAS, Greg Koos is a researcher, a writer, an archivist, and a curator; he is known as a walking encyclopedia of McLean County history; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Greg Koos on his retirement as the Executive Director of the McLean County Museum of History; and be it further

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