HR1304 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1304 LRB096 22431 GRL 41643 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Lela A. Bridges on the occasion of her retirement as the District 152 Superintendent of Schools after 38 years of dedicated service with the district; and

WHEREAS, Lela Bridges is a native of Mendenhall, Mississippi; she earned her bachelor's degree from Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi and her master's degree and doctorate at Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Lela Bridges is a 3rd generation educator; during her years as an educator, she has served as a teacher, dean of students, elementary and high school principal, and central office administrator; and

WHEREAS, Lela Bridges served as the District 152 Superintendent of Schools for 15 years; she is currently the longest-sitting African-American female superintendent in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Lela Bridges has been the recipient of numerous awards for her service in her community, including the South Suburban YMCA outstanding community service award, the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year award from the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority in 2005, the Break The Mold Award from the Illinois State Board of Education, the Dr. Norman LA Harry Service Award from the Tougaloo College Alumni Association Chicago Chapter, the Echoes of Excellence Award from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Joliet Alumnae Chapter, the Educators Stakeholders Award from the Midwest National Council on Educating Black Children, and an award from the National Association of University Women's North Shore Illinois Branch; in 2004, a street at 147th and Broadway in the City of Harvey was named after her in honor of her many accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Lela Bridges is a member of the Covenant United Church of Christ, where she is a member of the Women's Fellowship and Sunday school; she is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the North Shore Court #73 Heroine of Jericho and Shawall Court #4 Daughters of Isis Prince Hall Affiliates; and

WHEREAS, Lela Bridges and her husband, John Webb, have 2 daughters, Tiffanie and Stephanie, and a grandson, Jaden; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lela A. Bridges on the occasion of her retirement and wish her many happy and healthy retirement years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lela Bridges as a symbol of our esteem and respect.