HR1255 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1255 LRB093 24029 CSA 54166 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, John Early is retiring after a distinguished career with the Village of Matteson Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, John Early started with the Village of Matteson Fire Department as a cadet firefighter at the age of 16; he became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 18, and at the age of 21, he was one of the first two full-time career firefighters appointed in December of 1974; and

WHEREAS, After taking a competitive promotional exam in the 1979, John was promoted to Fire Lieutenant and has served as the Shift Commander; as Shift Commander, he was the highest ranking officer assigned to a 24-hour shift; and

WHEREAS, He attained numerous State Fire Certifications, including Firefighter III, Fire Officer II, Arson Investigator, and Instructor II, which furthered his professional development, and also provided the Village with specialized skills needed to carry out the mission of the Fire Department; in 1971, he was one of the first students to attend and graduate from the Emergency Medical Technician class offered at St. James Hospital; he upgraded his training and became a Paramedic in 1973 as a member of the second graduating class through what is now the South Cook County Emergency Medical System through Ingalls Hospital; and

WHEREAS, He acquired his Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science Technology from Prairie State College in 1975; in 1987, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Technology and Administration from Western Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, John, and his wife, Marcia, have two children, Shanna and Ryan; in his retirement, John hopes to enjoy trips to the upper peninsula of Michigan, and hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate John Early on his many years of exemplary service with the Matteson Fire Department and we wish him all the best in his retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to John Early as an expression of our admiration and esteem.