HR0684 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0684 LRB097 15972 GRL 61178 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, State Representative Monique D. Davis and the Illinois House of Representatives congratulate Lois Nelson on the occasion of her retirement after 40 years of service in the Chicago Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Eager to constantly improve her craft, Lois Nelson obtained her bachelor's degree and master's degree and undertook over 60 hours of formal education; she also earned a Youth Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency Mini-Society Certificate from the Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education and an Advanced Certificate as a Gifted Teacher; and

WHEREAS, Lois Nelson has served as a tireless advocate for the Chicago Public Schools system and for better educational opportunities for all children; she served as a Lead Mentor in the Golden Teacher's Mentor Program for the Chicago Board of Education; she served as a union delegate at Earle Elementary School for over 30 years and as a delegate to the American Federation of Teachers and Illinois Federation of Teachers Conventions; she served as a member of the Chicago Teachers' Union Executive Board; she has participated in union lobbying efforts in Springfield as a political coordinator and co-chair of the union's Political Action Committee; she also served as chair of the Chicago Teachers' Union Fashion Show 2006 for the CTU Student Assistance Program and participated in the Mother's Day Walk for Cancer with CTU; and

WHEREAS, Lois Nelson served as a Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Active Teacher Board Trustee from 2005 until 2010; she also served as the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Board Vice President - Chair of Personnel and the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Board Financial Secretary and Chair of Personnel, Finance, and Audit; and

WHEREAS, Lois Nelson has been a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Mu Chapter for 25 years; she is a member of the Association for Gifted Children; she also serves as President of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary Council #8973 at St. John De La Salle Catholic Church and as a church lector/commentator at St. John De La Salle; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her educational career, Lois Nelson served as a court reporter for Chicago Title & Trust; and

WHEREAS, Lois Nelson will celebrate her retirement with a party in her honor on December 30, 2011, at Crystal Light Banquets in Burbank; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lois Nelson on the occasion of her retirement, show our appreciation for her dedication to the education of her students and her advocacy on their behalf, and wish her many happy and healthy retirement years; and be it further

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