HR0443 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0443 LRB098 12379 GRL 46718 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Craig Watson on his esteemed career as an educator and on the occasion of his retirement; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from college in 1976, Craig Watson was hired as an 8th-grade language arts teacher in District 308's Oswego Junior High School and as an assistant basketball coach at Oswego High School; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson met his wife on his first day of teaching; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson taught for several years at Traughber Junior High School as a 6th-grade self-contained classroom teacher; and

WHEREAS, While at Traughber, Craig Watson also spent time coaching 7th-grade basketball, track, and intramurals and freshman-level basketball at the high school; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson spent 7 years in the private sector while remaining involved in coaching basketball at Princeton and Buda Western High Schools and track at Princeton High School; and

WHEREAS, After his time in the private sector, Craig Watson returned to Traughber and Oswego High School for one year as a teacher and coach before heading to Minooka High School to teach English and coach basketball, track, and cross country; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Craig Watson returned to Oswego High School, where he remained until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, While at Oswego High School, Craig Watson taught English while serving as the assistant varsity boys basketball coach, athletic director, and varsity boys basketball coach; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson retired as Oswego High School's assistant principal for operations; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson has earned several distinguished accolades, including OHS Male Teacher of the Year, Village of Oswego Outstanding Educator, Those Who Excel Award of Merit from the Illinois State Board of Education, OHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, and Illinois Athletic Directors Hall of Fame inductee; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson took pride in the fact that, while serving as Athletic Director, 90% of OHS varsity sports teams earned the IHSA's All-Academic Achievement Award and OHS student-athletes earned 5 State trophies, including 2 State championships; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson has spent a total of 30 years in education, 25 of them being in District 308; and

WHEREAS, Craig Watson is recognized by his colleagues for his caring and compassionate style and is a highly respected leader and mentor to both students and staff; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Craig Watson on his 30 years as an educator and athletic coach and for his retirement; and be it further

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