HR0178 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0178 LRB098 11409 MST 43331 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Richard Walker, Director of Parks & Recreation, Zion Park District, as he steps down from his position; and

WHEREAS, Richard Walker has been director for 5 years and worked in the parks & recreation field for over 22 years before becoming director; and

WHEREAS, As director, Richard Walker oversaw a budget of more than $2.1 million and supervised more than 70 full and part-time staff members; he developed and implemented marketing strategies for the park district and its facilities, solicited and secured funding support for events and programs, established and articulated the philosophy of the special facilities of the Zion Park District, and helped participate in the "team approach" for the development of Shepherd's Crook Golf Course, the renovation of the Shiloh Park Pool, and the current renovation of the Park District Leisure Center and Senior Center; and

WHEREAS, Richard Walker developed, implemented, and coordinated a series of extended group tours for selected markets, served as staff liaison to the Save the Rink Committee, prepared and filed all documents for the establishment of the Zion Park District Foundation, and planned, submitted for approval, and conducted all aspects of the annual 4th of July Celebration and the annual Jubilee Days Festival Parade; and

WHEREAS, Before assuming the duties of director, Richard Walker was the Zion Park District Superintendent of Special Facilities since November 1988; before becoming Superintendent of Special Facilities, he was the Zion Park District Special Events Director from September 1985 to November 1988, the Grayslake Community Park District Director of Parks & Recreation from April 1978 to September 1985, and the Crystal Lake Park District Superintendent of Recreation from June 1976 to March 1978; and

WHEREAS, Richard Walker received a bachelors of science in park administration from Illinois State University in 1975; he is a member of the Illinois Park & Recreation Association, the National Park & Recreation Association, past president and current executive director of the Jubilee Days Festival Commission, current president and board of directors member for the Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County, current member and executive board member and past president and vice-president of the Zion Exchange Club, current secretary/treasurer of the Zion Park District Foundation, and a current member and past chair of the Finance Committee and Building Construction Committee for the Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Richard Walker, Director of Parks & Recreation, Zion District, as he begins his retirement, thank him for his service to his community, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours; and be it further

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