HR0391 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0391 LRB097 11972 KXB 55582 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Donald Jessen has served the Addison Park District for 30 years; his passion is limitless for recreation and parks for everyone, from the tiniest of tots to senior citizens; he believes in having a place to go to be inspired, to enjoy the outdoors by taking a walk in the park, and to meet friends; and

WHEREAS, The Addison Park District was only 10 years in development when Don Jessen became a commissioner; the District has now grown to encompass 281 acres with 25 park sites; the development of the Community Recreation Center, the Centennial Recreation Center, the Links and Tees Golf Facility, Club Fitness, the Family Aquatic Center, and the partnership with NEDSRA have all become a reality during his time with the District; and

WHEREAS, He is an advocate for parks and recreation on a legislative level; his skillful lobbying efforts have made him a welcome guest in Springfield and Washington D.C.; his legislative efforts have benefited park and recreation agencies statewide as well as nationally through Open Space Land Acquisition grants and Land and Water Conservation funding, both of which go directly to units of local government to directly benefit residents; his efforts to secure funding contributed hugely to the growth of the Addison Park District over the years; and

WHEREAS, At the state level, he has served the Illinois Association of Park Districts for 28 years as a citizen volunteer; he was the President of the Board of Directors in 1993 and was named Commissioner of the Year in 1995; on the national level, he has served on the Board of Trustees of the National Parks and Recreation Association for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, He has also served as an ambassador to Parks and Recreation in Japan at their national conferences, and has hosted a Japanese delegation at the National Congress here; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Donald Jessen for his 30 years of service to the Addison Park District and the people of Illinois, and thank him for his hard work and dedication; and be it further

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