HR0387 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0387 LRB104 13839 LAW 26652 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Honorable Rita B. Garman on the occasion of receiving the AMBUCS First Citizen Award by the Danville Chapter of AMBUCS; and

WHEREAS, The AMBUCS First Citizen Award is given to a Danville area man or woman who has contributed significantly to the betterment of the community through a single project or multiple projects, personally or professionally; and

WHEREAS, Judge Garman, as one of the first female attorneys in Vermilion County, paved the way for many women who followed her, and she continued to inspire those in the legal field as her professional path culminated in her serving as a member of the Supreme Court of Illinois from 2001 to 2022, where she served as chief justice for a term; during her time on the bench, she was noted for serving as a calm, prepared, respectful, and wise leader; and

WHEREAS, Judge Garman, shortly after her arrival on the Supreme Court of Illinois, established a special committee on child custody issues to give priority to cases involving the custody, adoption, abuse, and neglect of children and the rights of parents; as an advocate for children her entire career, she continues to serve on this committee today; and

WHEREAS, Judge Garman has remained committed to her community, serving Danville in a number of capacities, including as a member of the Danville Rotary Club, where she currently serves as president, the Danville Symphony Board of Directors, the Danville Area Community College (DACC) Foundation Board, the local Chapter HX of PEO, and the St. James United Methodist Church community; and

WHEREAS, Judge Garman's accomplishments, both professional and civic, have led to the Vermilion County Courthouse being renamed in her honor, and she has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Illinois Judges Association in 2007, the inaugural Harold Sullivan Award for Judicial Excellence in 2011, and the Myra Bradwell Award from the Women's Bar Association of Illinois in 2016, among other accolades; and

WHEREAS, Judge Garman, who continues to support a wide variety of community programs with humility, honesty, charisma, and passion, has been a consummate role model for the citizens of Danville for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Judge Garman will be presented the AMBUCS First Citizen Award at the 92nd Annual AMBUCS First Citizen banquet on May 29, 2025; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Honorable Rita B. Garman on being the recipient of the AMBUCS First Citizen Award by the Danville Chapter of AMBUCS, and we thank her for her continued service and dedication to the Danville community; and be it further

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