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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
3Assembly pays honor and respect to those individuals who have
4contributed to the success of their community and the State;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Ira Collins began his career as an entry-level
7hospital attendant in Nevada, Missouri; during his first five
8years, he worked as a direct care worker and activity therapy
9aide for people with mental illnesses; in 1964, his career
10emphasis expanded when he was assigned the responsibility for
11directing all programs and services for individuals who lived
12at the three Missouri state schools and hospitals for people
13with intellectual disabilities; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Ira Collins served as Director of Special Olympics
15for the state of Missouri in 1969 and 1970; he was recruited by
16the State of Illinois to serve as State program coordinator for
17individuals with developmental disabilities in 1970; his
18accomplishments as the State program coordinator were
19recognized by Governor Ogilvie with a Superior Achievement
20Award in 1971; he was named director of the Kankakee State
21Hospital in 1974 and was assigned the task of converting the
22hospital from a center that simply warehoused those with mental
23illness to one which worked to improve the lives of those with

 

 

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1disabilities; and
 
2    WHEREAS, After the successful conversion of the facility,
3Ira Collins served as the Director of the Shapiro Center for 45
4years; he maintained an excellent reputation for the provision
5of superior services, and the Center has not only been
6recognized as the best State operated center in Illinois, but
7it has also been recognized as one of the best in the United
8States; and
 
9    WHEREAS, While serving as Director of the Shapiro Center,
10Ira Collins frequently served in dual roles, including as
11Facility Director of the Howe Developmental Center, as Regional
12Director, and more recently, as Facility Director of the
13Lincoln Developmental Center; from 1987 until 1991, he served
14as the Deputy Director of the Department of Mental Health and
15Developmental Disabilities; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Ira Collins has a Bachelor of Science in Human
17Relations and Psychology and a Master of Science in Special
18Education and Administration and is an Illinois Licensed
19Nursing Home Administrator; he and his wife have four sons, ten
20grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

 

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1CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the Shapiro Development
2Center at 100 E. Jeffery Street, Kankakee, Illinois as the Ira
3Collins Shapiro Development Center; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That the Department of Human Services is
5requested to erect, at suitable locations, appropriate plaques
6or signage giving notice of the name "Ira Collins Shapiro
7Development Center"; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That we commend Ira Collins on his distinguished
9career and his lifelong dedication to the people of Illinois;
10and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
12presented to the Director of the Department of Human Services
13and Ira Collins.