HR0796 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0796 LRB093 20904 HSS 46866 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Dr. Robert T. Howard on the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent of Schools for Community Consolidated School District 59 after 37 years in education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Howard received a B.S. in Education, an M.S. in Education, and his Ed.D from Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Howard began his long, successful career in education in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago as a staff member at Barrington High School, teaching Algebra and Basic Math from 1967 to 1969; he left Barrington High School in 1969 to become a Guidance Counselor at Sandwich High School in Sandwich; he remained in that position until 1973 when he became principal of that school; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Howard served his first superintendency at Gardner-South Wilmington High School in Gardner from 1977 to 1981; in 1981, he served as Superintendent of Bettendorf Community School District in Bettendorf, Iowa, until he returned to the Northwest suburbs of Chicago to assume the role of superintendent of Community Consolidated School District 59; and

WHEREAS, Since he became superintendent of School District 59 in July of 1993, Dr. Howard has been a strong advocate for all children; he adheres to a belief in education for the whole child; he has been a role model to students and staff alike; and

WHEREAS, Many programs in School District 59 have been put into place to assure that every child's individual needs are addressed; among the programs are a district wide Fine Arts Festival, CHARACTER COUNTS!, a new language arts program, the Ridge Family Center for Learning, the formation of over 90 focus groups involving over 1300 people, the formulation of a district mission and vision and a statement of core values and beliefs, and the adoption of district-wide aims and goals; and

WHEREAS, During Dr. Howard's tenure, he has overseen a district-wide renovation to equip all 14 schools with the resources needed for education in the 21st century; he leaves School District 59 with plans already on the drawing board for new science labs in the junior high schools; his legacy will continue to grow as he now plays a major role in establishing the new District 59 Education Foundation, which will foster partnerships that support excellence and innovation in the school district; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement in June 2004, Dr. Howard will have shared 11 years working tirelessly for the betterment of the schools and the communities within Community Consolidated School District 59; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Robert T. Howard on the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent of Schools for Community Consolidated School District 59 after 37 years in education; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Robert T. Howard as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for a relaxing retirement.