HR0433 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0433 LRB100 12901 MST 26795 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, National Louis University was founded by Elizabeth Harrison over 130 years ago as an institution dedicated to training teachers in the belief that education is the engine of prosperity and social justice; and

WHEREAS, National Louis University is well-known in the education community as a national leader and innovator; many outside that community may not know that the American Kindergarten Movement, Parent Teacher Associations, the Head Start Program, and bachelor's degrees in elementary education all began in Illinois with National Louis University's research and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, National Louis University's National College of Education is nationally known for educating future teachers to succeed in urban environments; 70 National Louis University alumni have won the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching - far more than any other Illinois school of education; and

WHEREAS, National Louis University continues its proud tradition of evolving to meet the needs of 21st Century students and communities, and leading advancements in the field of education through such innovative initiatives as the Harrison Professional Pathways program, which focuses on providing wrap-around support and a high quality education at an affordable price to help modest-income students attain their bachelor's degrees; and

WHEREAS, National Louis University will be presenting its Pioneer and Reach Awards to the 2017 winners at its Awards Gala on June 6, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Pioneer Award is given to an individual who exhibits exceptional character as well as a sense of higher purpose in life and work, thereby increasing opportunity and quality of life for others and thus reflecting the core values of National Louis University and its founder, Elizabeth Harrison; and

WHEREAS, Dominic Belmonte, Chief Executive Officer of the Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching, is the recipient of the 2017 National Louis University Pioneer Award; and

WHEREAS, National Louis University Reach Awards are given to alumni who are making a significant impact in their fields and the communities in which they work and live; and

WHEREAS, Lynn Cherkasky-Davis of the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation, J.P. Watkins of the Council for the Jewish Elderly, and Salisia Webber of Allure Events and Design are recipients of the 2017 National Louis University Reach Awards; and

WHEREAS, National Louis University has more than 130 years of leadership and continues to realize the University's vision of education as the most effective pathway to justice and economic well-being; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we wish to congratulate National Louis University and the recipients of the 2017 Pioneer and Reach Awards and express our gratitude for their dedication to improving the lives of the people of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to each award recipient and to National Louis University as an expression of our esteem and respect.