HR1181 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1181 LRB096 22122 KXB 40739 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Patricia Makris, Executive Director of the Children's Center of Cicero/Berwyn; and

WHEREAS, She was the Executive Director of The Children's Center of Cicero/Berwyn since 1978; she dedicated her efforts, as an advocate, for the children and parents of Cicero and Berwyn; under her direction, the Children's Center grew from a single site in the Grant Works neighborhood of Cicero to nine separate sites serving over 1,500 families in Cicero and Berwyn; and

WHEREAS, Beginning with a lone after-school day care program, the agency currently offers Early Head Start, Head Start, Preschool daycare, Infant-toddler daycare, Teen Parent Training, At-risk Pre-kindergarten, Parent Education, Training for At-home day care providers, and Parent & Child Programs; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Makris was recognized nationwide for her expertise in infant, child, teen, and parent advocacy, and for her professional contributions in the field of early childhood development, day care, and not-for-profit, community agency management; over the years, she appeared as the keynote speaker at countless educational conferences; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Makris' selfless efforts earned her unequaled recognition and numerous community service awards; she served the Cicero Rotary Club in many capacities, most recently, as Vocational Service Director; she was also a member of the Cicero Youth Task Force among other agencies and organizations; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Makris was the worthy recipient of awards from organizations such as the Women's Business Development Center, the Cicero Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cicero Youth Task Force, the Towns of Cicero and Berwyn, and many more; she also received the Jack Kubik Humanitarian Award from Seguin RCA, and Outstanding Executive Director Award from George Williams College; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Makris attended the University of Illinois and Western Michigan University, earning a B.S Degree in Education; she was awarded an MBA from Roosevelt University; she began her teaching career in the inner-city and at Plato Greek School in Chicago; in addition, she taught for Cicero School District #99 at Roosevelt School; and she took her educational talents to Greece for several years, where she taught English; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with the many lives she touched, the passing of Patricia Makris; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Patricia Makris as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.