HR0476LRB104 15484 LAW 28644 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Kaskaskia College on the 
4occasion of achieving 85 years as an educational institution; 
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Kaskaskia College was established as Centralia 
7Township Junior College in 1940, and it holds the distinction 
8of being the first community college founded in the State of 
9Illinois; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly enacted 
11the Illinois Community College Act, which provided for the 
12formal creation and recognition of community college districts 
13across the State to ensure greater access to affordable higher 
14education and workforce training opportunities; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Kaskaskia College was the very first institution 
16officially recognized under the Illinois Community College Act 
17of 1965, becoming Community College District 501 and serving 
18as a model for what would become the statewide system of 
19community colleges in Illinois; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Over the past 85 years, Kaskaskia College has 
21grown substantially and now serves thousands of students 
 
 
HR0476- 2 -LRB104 15484 LAW 28644 r

1annually across a multicounty district that includes Clinton, 
2Marion, Washington, Bond, Fayette, and portions of surrounding 
3counties in Southern Illinois; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Kaskaskia College has consistently demonstrated a 
5strong commitment to academic excellence, workforce 
6development, and community service by offering diverse 
7educational programs, technical training, and cultural 
8enrichment activities to meet the needs of students, 
9employers, and the region as a whole; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Kaskaskia College, as the premier provider of 
11workforce education and training in Southern Illinois, has 
12partnered with local industries and economic development 
13organizations to build a strong, skilled workforce that 
14contributes to the growth and vitality of the region; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Kaskaskia College has provided generations of 
16families with opportunities, empowering students to achieve 
17their educational goals, build successful careers, and become 
18active participants in their communities; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Kaskaskia College has been recognized by State 
20Representative Charles Meier, whose home district is proudly 
21served by the institution, for the tremendous impact the 
22college has had on his constituents and the entire Southern 
 
 
HR0476- 3 -LRB104 15484 LAW 28644 r

1Illinois region; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Kaskaskia College is currently led by President 
3George Evans, the institution's 11th president, providing 
4visionary leadership and upholding the college's mission of 
5service, innovation, and excellence; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
7HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
8we congratulate Kaskaskia College on its 85th anniversary, and 
9we commend its historic role as Illinois' first recognized 
10community college under the Illinois Community College Act of 
111965; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That we commend the leadership of Kaskaskia 
13College President George Evans, the board of trustees, the 
14faculty, the staff, and the administration for their 
15dedication to providing high-quality education and workforce 
16training, positively impacting the lives of countless 
17students, alumni, and families; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
19presented to Kaskaskia College President George Evans, the 
20board of trustees, and the faculty and staff as a symbol of our 
21esteem and gratitude.