HR0369 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0369 LRB100 12590 MST 25772 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It has come to the attention of the Illinois House of Representatives that distinguished lobbyist Richard "Dick" Lockhart has recently announced that he will be retiring at the end of this session after 59 years as a registered lobbyist; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart was born in Lima, Ohio on January 20, 1924; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart enlisted in the United States Army in 1943; during his time in the service he was held as a prisoner of war in 1945, and as a result of his bravery and selflessness, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge; he was honorably discharged from service on December 12, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart returned to Chicago and continued his education at Northwestern University Evening School in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart married Dorothy Phelps in 1948 and together they raised two children, Lisa and David; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart pursued a career focused on politics, forming a lobbying and consulting firm, Social Engineering Associates in 1958; he published a nonpartisan newsletter, "The Illinois Political Reporter" beginning in 1961 until 1986; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart was named as one of the "10 Best Lobbyists in Illinois" by the Chicago Sun-Times; he served as a special consultant to the President of the Constitutional Convention in 1970, as speaker of the Illinois Third House in 1981, and in 2004, he was the recipient of the Illinois Third House Lifetime Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart has authored numerous works, including, "The Legislative Process and the Pursuit of Virtue", "Words Wise and Otherwise", and "Lockhart Logic", as well as compiling a World War II memoir in which he eagerly shares his vast knowledge with friends and strangers alike; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart has, throughout his lifetime, given generously to support the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Illinois State Library, and the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart has admirably served numerous clients over his career including: the Illinois Credit Union League, the Illinois Mental Health Association, the Illinois School Psychologists Association, the Condominium Association of Chicago, the Retired Chicago Teachers Association, the State University Annuitants Association, and many other groups; and

WHEREAS, Upon retirement, Richard Lockhart plans to write a civics guide on lobbying and the legislative process; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we hereby extend our best wishes to Richard "Dick" Lockhart on the occasion of his retirement and commend him for his years of dedication to the people of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Richard Lockhart as an expression of our esteem and respect.