HR0216 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0216 LRB099 11137 MST 31605 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Robert M. "Bob" Lawless was accepted into the Steamfitter Local 353 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) on October 10, 1969, and initiated into Steamfitters Local 353 on February 27, 1970; he served his 5-year apprenticeship, turning out as a journeyman on April 4, 1974; and

WHEREAS, Bob Lawless worked for 34 years in the field mostly as a HVAC tech; during this time, he served various officers positions, starting with the union secretary's position and working his way up to executive board and finally Business Manager of Steamfitters Local 353 in January of 2003; and

WHEREAS, Bob Lawless has always been generous with his time and talents, giving back to the apprentices as well as the journeymen; he taught for many years in the JATC apprenticeship; he was appointed to help design the new training facility for Steamfitters Local 353 in May of 1997 and his excellence in design and his knowledge in the area of HVAC made him a valuable person on the committee; he gave many volunteer hours to this project; and

WHEREAS, Bob Lawless also served as a trustee on the health and welfare and pension plans for his local union for over 20 years, rising to Chairman of both committees; he was a member of the executive board of the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, serving as Vice-President; he also was appointed as a Vice-President of the Illinois Pipe Trades Association; and

WHEREAS, Bob Lawless always put the members of Steamfitters Local 353 before his own personal interests; he has been a loyal and devoted union member, giving back both to the union and his community; he understands that excellence in the field and in training will be the driving force in building a better future for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, Bob Lawless retired as Business Manager of Steamfitters Local 353 on February 1, 2015 after 46 years of dedicated service; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Robert M. "Bob" Lawless for his 46 years of dedicated service to the Steamfitters Local 353; and be it further

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