HR0591 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0591 LRB098 13877 GRL 48649 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, At a particularly critical and sensitive time, James Carlson played an important role in the government oversight and regulation of the Illinois cemetery industry, having admirably served as Assistant Deputy Director of Cemetery Oversight for the State of Illinois and having been formally recognized as an "upstanding leader" by Comptroller Judy Barr Topinka for his "dedication and service to the people of Illinois and the cemetery industry"; and

WHEREAS, James Carlson was born in Evergreen Park on June 1, 1946; he graduated from Bradley University in Peoria with a degree in economics in 1968 and continued his education at the University of Iowa; he raised two children in Illinois, Matthew (born in 1974) and Tracy (born in 1975), and married his soul mate, Kathy Carlson, in 1989; and

WHEREAS, James Carlson served as a professor of economics at Moraine Valley College; he also served in many capacities within the Illinois cemetery industry, including Executive Vice President of the Chicago Cemetery Corporation, Regional Vice President of the Loewen Group, President of the Cemeteries Association of Greater Chicago, and President of the Illinois Cemetery and Funeral Home Association; and

WHEREAS, Prior to becoming a cemetery regulator, James Carlson served as a cemetery consultant, advising Illinois cemeteries on compliance with Illinois laws and operational integrity; he also served as an appointed receiver of Illinois cemeteries under the administrations of Comptrollers Judy Baar Topinka and Daniel Hynes; and

WHEREAS, As a recognized cemetery industry leader of great knowledge and integrity, James Carlson was asked to serve the State of Illinois by helping develop and administer the new Cemetery Oversight Act, which he did with honor and accomplishment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our sincere appreciation to James Carlson for his dedicated and effective public service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to James Carlson, his wife, Kathy, and his children, Matthew and Tracy.