HR1178 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1178 LRB098 21604 MST 60363 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Secretary of State Jesse White on becoming the longest serving Secretary of State in Illinois history on May 30, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Secretary White served in the General Assembly for 16 years, as Cook County Recorder of Deeds for 6 years, and was first elected Secretary of State in 1998 - the first African-American to serve in that position; he won landslide re-election in 2002, 2006, and 2010; and

WHEREAS, Secretary White has strengthened the Secretary of State Inspector General's Office, reformed the State's Commercial Driver's License Program, cracked down on fraud and abuse in the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities, fought for tougher DUI laws, enforced investor protection laws, streamlined operations to improve customer service, and continued to upgrade and expand the range of services available online; and

WHEREAS, Secretary White has introduced groundbreaking programs and legislative initiatives that have made Illinois a national leader in traffic safety and directly led to saved lives on the roads; the Secretary of State's Organ/Tissue Donor Program has received national acclaim and continues to serve as a model for other states; and

WHEREAS, Secretary White has always had a commitment to improving young lives; he founded the internationally renowned Jesse White Tumbling Team in 1959 and continues to work with the team to help at-risk youth stay drug-free and in school; as State librarian, he brought his innovative Project Next Generation program to public libraries across the State; and

WHEREAS, Secretary White was born in Alton and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1957 from Alabama State College; he served in the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division and as a member of the Illinois National Guard and Army Reserve; he played professional baseball with the Chicago Cubs organization and spent 33 years as a teacher and administrator with Chicago public schools; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure as Secretary of State, Jesse White has made Illinois's roads safer, raised the ethical standards in his office, and used modern technology to make his office consumer friendly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Secretary of State Jesse White on becoming the longest serving Secretary of State in Illinois history and wish him many more years of success; and be it further

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