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| 1 | SENATE RESOLUTION | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to | ||||||
| 3 | congratulate the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association | ||||||
| 4 | (WDSRA) on the 50th anniversary of its founding; and | ||||||
| 5 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA was founded on September 20, 1976 by | ||||||
| 6 | the Glen Ellyn, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wheaton Park | ||||||
| 7 | Districts to provide individuals with disabilities | ||||||
| 8 | opportunities for recreation and leisure; and | ||||||
| 9 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA began with two programs, a summer day | ||||||
| 10 | camp and a bowling program, and has grown to offer more than | ||||||
| 11 | 700 programs annually, enriching the lives of children, teens, | ||||||
| 12 | and adults with special needs; and | ||||||
| 13 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA was joined by the Bloomingdale, | ||||||
| 14 | Warrenville, Winfield, Roselle, and Carol Stream Park | ||||||
| 15 | Districts between 1986 and 1996, broadening the association's | ||||||
| 16 | impact across western DuPage County and bringing the total of | ||||||
| 17 | park districts served to nine; and | ||||||
| 18 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA has been recognized nationally, earning | ||||||
| 19 | the Gold Medal for Excellence in Programming from the National | ||||||
| 20 | Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the National | ||||||
| 21 | Sporting Goods Association in 1979 and again in 1993; and | ||||||
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| 1 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA became the first special recreation | ||||||
| 2 | association to earn the Distinguished Accredited Agency | ||||||
| 3 | recognition by the Illinois Association of Park Districts | ||||||
| 4 | (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) | ||||||
| 5 | in 2002, reflecting its commitment to the highest standards of | ||||||
| 6 | service, leadership, and inclusion, and it continues to | ||||||
| 7 | maintain this distinguished accreditation; and | ||||||
| 8 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA launched the Rec & Roll adult day | ||||||
| 9 | program in 2005, which has since expanded to seven locations, | ||||||
| 10 | offering meaningful day experiences that build independence, | ||||||
| 11 | friendships, and community engagement; and | ||||||
| 12 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA continues to grow its year-round | ||||||
| 13 | programming, adding new and innovative opportunities in | ||||||
| 14 | athletics, arts, camps, and social programs for individuals as | ||||||
| 15 | young as three years old to seniors; and | ||||||
| 16 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA continues to respond to the needs and | ||||||
| 17 | interests of participants and families, creating new ways to | ||||||
| 18 | learn, connect, and have fun together; and | ||||||
| 19 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA also leads the way in inclusion | ||||||
| 20 | services, ensuring that individuals with special needs can | ||||||
| 21 | participate in regular park district programs when desired, | ||||||
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| 1 | offering support at no extra cost and promoting a community | ||||||
| 2 | where everyone belongs; and | ||||||
| 3 | WHEREAS, The WDSRA has lived its mission to "enrich lives, | ||||||
| 4 | connect communities, and create fun through inclusive | ||||||
| 5 | recreational opportunities" for 50 years and continues to | ||||||
| 6 | inspire "a world of opportunities, belonging, and individuals | ||||||
| 7 | reaching their full potential"; therefore, be it | ||||||
| 8 | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL | ||||||
| 9 | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the | ||||||
| 10 | Western DuPage Special Recreation Association on the 50th | ||||||
| 11 | anniversary of its founding, and we wish it many more | ||||||
| 12 | wonderful years; and be it further | ||||||
| 13 | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | ||||||
| 14 | presented to the WDSRA as a symbol of our respect and esteem. | ||||||