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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives wish to recognize John and Beth Couter of
4 Decatur on the occasion of their retirement in 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, John William Couter is the son of Dr. William and
6 Janet Couter; he graduated with a B.A. in History in 1971 from
7 the University of Notre Dame and continued his education with a
8 J.D. in 1974 from Indiana University School of Law; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Upon graduation, he became Assistant Corporation
10 Counsel for the City of Decatur, he was appointed Acting
11 Corporation Counsel in May of 1987 before being appointed to
12 his current position of Corporation Counsel in September 1987;
13 and
 
14     WHEREAS, Beth Brandon Couter is the daughter of Russell and
15 Freda Brandon; she is the mother of 2 sons, Joshua and Chad
16 Oldweiler; she graduated from Millikin University with a B.A.
17 in History and a B.A. in Accounting; she worked as a senior tax
18 accountant at Peat, Marwick, Main from 1981 to 1984; in 1984,
19 she became City of Decatur Staff Accounting Supervisor until
20 1986; she has acted as the City Comptroller, Assistant Finance
21 Director, and Acting Finance Director before being appointed to
22 her position as Finance Director in December of 1989; she is
23 the first female to be a city department director; she is the
24 past president of the Illinois Governmental Finance Officers
25 Association and an instructor for Leadership Enhancement and
26 Development (LEAD); and
 
27     WHEREAS, John and Beth were married on September 3, 1989;
28 they are both involved with volunteer work for Special
29 Olympics, Kiwanis, and the Salvation Army; and
 
30     WHEREAS, John was the valedictorian of his kindergarten

 

 

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1 class; he is also known by his alias "Johnny Vegas"; he is an
2 accomplished saxophone player and will enjoy his time off
3 watching Seinfeld reruns and catching Hoosier and Notre Dame
4 games; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Beth will enjoy her time off supporting their
6 local library and eating Jimmy John's sandwiches; she will also
7 remain an avid fan of the Fighting Illini and the Cubs; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Their family and friends, Josh and Liz; Chad and
9 Keely; Mrs. Janet Couter; Nancy and Dan Dollison; Tom, Kathy,
10 Janet, and Michael Zito; Bob, Sherry, Will, John and David
11 Couter; Sally, Peter, and Brandon Solana wish them well on
12 their retirement; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The Couters have served the city of Decatur for
14 many years and leave a legacy of community involvement and
15 civic concern that will long inspire the citizens of this
16 State; therefore, be it
 
17     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
18 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
19 congratulate John and Beth Couter on their retirement and
20 commend their commitment and dedication to the City of Decatur;
21 and we wish them good health and happiness in all of their
22 future endeavors; and be it further
 
23     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
24 presented to John and Beth Couter as a token of our respect.