HR0345 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0345 LRB097 11828 GRL 55218 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives recognize that a significant era in Illinois history is about to conclude on May 16, 2011; and

WHEREAS, We are pleased to recognize Mayor Richard M. Daley for his outstanding service, decades of diligent work on behalf of the people of Chicago, and countless contributions toward making Illinois a better place; and

WHEREAS, The fourth of seven children and the eldest son of Eleanor and Richard J. Daley, Richard M. Daley was born on April 24, 1942; he graduated from De La Salle Academy and earned undergraduate and law degrees from DePaul University; and

WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley began his public service through his service in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and in 1969, when he was elected to serve as an Illinois Constitutional Convention delegate; and

WHEREAS, We take great pride in noting that Richard M. Daley, like his father, Richard J. Daley, and his brother, John P. Daley, learned the art of governing, compromise, and coalition building in the chambers of the Illinois state legislature; and

WHEREAS, As a member of the Illinois Senate, Richard M. Daley led the fight to remove the sales tax on food and medicine, championed landmark measures to improve mental health care, and established clear-cut, enforceable rights for nursing home residents; and

WHEREAS, From 1980 to 1989, Richard M. Daley served as the Cook County State's Attorney, establishing a record as a tough narcotics prosecutor and overhauling laws against rape to ensure convictions; and

WHEREAS, Since his first election as mayor in 1989, Richard M. Daley earned a much deserved reputation in the City and beyond for improving the quality of life, bettering the public schools of Chicago, modernizing public transit, and helping Chicago become among the most environmentally friendly cities in the world; and

WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley's innovative, community-based programs continue to tackle the fundamental challenges facing urban America - quality schools, safe neighborhoods, and work and business opportunities that stretch to every neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, As a result of Richard M. Daley's focus on improving public education, student test scores have risen, dropout rates have fallen, more students are prepared for college or some form of higher education, and what critics once labeled one of the worst public school systems in the country has become a national model for reform; and

WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley visualized the need for more diverse entities like World Business Chicago, and sustained the spirit and vitality of Chicago with fresh approaches to the city center, opening Millennium Park, restoring an irreplaceable treasure, Navy Pier, and ensuring the modernization of O'Hare International Airport to guarantee its place as one of the world's true aviation hubs; and

WHEREAS, Despite the great growth Chicago has seen during his tenure, Richard M. Daley has made it an ongoing priority to control spending, implement innovative techniques, and hold government to higher standards of accountability; and

WHEREAS, Richard M. Daley used his legislative skills to lobby for strong and sensible gun safety laws, measures which recognized human rights and civil unions, and critically needed property tax relief for seniors; and

WHEREAS, This thoughtful approach earned Richard M. Daley numerous recognitions, such as being named as a Visionary for Sustainability by the highly respected National Building Museum, being picked by Governing Magazine as their Public Official of the Year, being recognized by Time Magazine as the nation's top urban executive, and being the recipient of the Martin Luther King/Robert F. Kennedy Award from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence/Education Fund to End Handgun Violence; and

WHEREAS, Throughout this diverse professional career, Richard M. Daley remained a devoted husband to Maggie and an inspirational father to Nora, Patrick, Elizabeth, and the late Kevin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our gratitude to Richard M. Daley for his contributions to the betterment of the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago and wish him the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Richard M. Daley as a symbol of our respect and esteem.