HR1003 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1003 LRB102 29721 MST 41776 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate LeeArthur "Lee" Crawford on his retirement as Doorkeeper of the House and to thank him for his dedicated service to the "People's House"; and

WHEREAS, Lee Crawford started his full-time career in the House on April 1, 1986, overseeing and supervising pages on the House floor; he distributed a paper copy of every bill and amendment considered by the House of Representatives, maintained the official spindle with each bill and amendment, certified to the House Clerk that official copies were on the floor prior to the commencement of debate on a legislative item, and maintained order and organization of the reams of paper compiled on tables in the rear of the chamber; and

WHEREAS, Lee Crawford was elected Doorkeeper of the House on January 8, 1997 when the House Democratic Caucus regained the majority in the 90th General Assembly and was re-elected to that position during the subsequent 12 General Assemblies before announcing his retirement on May 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Lee Crawford was in charge of enforcing the House rules and decorum as doorkeeper and of calming situations on the floor when, at times, they would become heated; he worked with the Secretary of State Police and the Illinois State Police to ensure that the House, its members, its staff, and all guests were safe during legislative sessions; he also provided for the official entrance of governors and other distinguished individuals, including President Barack Obama on February 10, 2016, by calling out, "Mr. Speaker!" as they sought admittance to the House Chamber; and

WHEREAS, Lee Crawford served Speakers Michael J. Madigan, Lee A. Daniels, and Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Clerks John F. O'Brien, Anthony D. Rossi, Terrance B. McLennand, Mark E. Mahoney, Timothy D. Mapes, and John W. Hollman; he also served with Assistant Clerks Anthony J. Leone Jr. and Bradley S. Bolin; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Lee Crawford served as a pastor at the Cathedral of Praise Christian Center and the Victory Temple Church in Springfield and often provided the opening prayer when the House was in session; he also counseled guest clergy, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., on the protocols and traditions of the Illinois House and welcomed other esteemed guests, such as William Warfield and Secretary of Defense William Cohen; he provided a listening ear to any member of the House or staffer who sought his counsel, and his community service included collecting business clothes to help financially disadvantaged people dress appropriately for job interviews; and

WHEREAS, Lee Crawford has been married for 32 years to Karen Crawford and, from that union, is the father of three children, Dr. Sean (Denysha) Crawford, Christopher Crawford, and Charday Crawford, and the grandfather of Emery, Sean, and Kynnedi Crawford; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and thank LeeArthur "Lee" Crawford for his 36 years of dedicated, professional, and selfless service to the House, its members, its staff, and the public; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lee Crawford and his family as an expression of our appreciation, esteem, gratitude, and respect and with our best wishes for his future success in the next chapter of his life.