HR0946 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0946 LRB093 22167 HSS 50990 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Tony Perry of Kankakee County on winning the Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence for Entrepreneur given by the Order Sons of Italy in America - State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Perry was recognized as an Italian American who has become a pride and inspiration to the Italian community; his impeccable credentials and accomplishments met the criteria for the award; he attributes his success to working hard and long, being honest and unselfish, and the unwavering support of his family; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Perry built what is now known as the Perry Group, a successful and highly respected professional commercial-industrial real estate sales and development firm located in Bradley, with additional offices located in Will County and the City of Chicago; Mr. Perry also works on behalf of Kankakee County as executive director of the Area Jobs Economic Development Association; his efforts have been instrumental in bringing more than 70 industries into Kankakee County; he will celebrate his 40th year working on behalf of Kankakee County in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Perry is responsible for the annual Christmas in April project in Kankakee County; through the use of volunteers, Christmas in April has been able to rehabilitate 490 Kankakee County homes during the past 12 years; since its inception, Christmas in April has spread to 9 other communities within the State; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Perry has also been involved in and worked on behalf of Make A Difference Day, his church, and many other charities and social and professional services on a local, State, and national level; he is known for sharing his time, talents, and treasures on a very regular basis; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Perry and his wife, Ellie, have lived in Kankakee County since 1962, raising 5 children, Elizabeth, Lauren, Thomas, Joseph, and Anne; over the years, their family has been blessed by the addition of sons-in-law, Dan LaMore and Dennis Wiley; daughter-in-law, Mechelle Perry; and 4 grandchildren, Luke Perry Wiley, Hannah Wiley, and Nicholas and Brandon LaMore; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Tony Perry on winning the Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence for Entrepreneur; and be it further

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