SR0832 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0832 LRB104 22264 MST 38640 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Senator Dale Fowler has represented the citizens of the 59th Senate District with distinction since 2017; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler has had an extraordinary and remarkable career, leaving a lasting legacy in the General Assembly and across the communities of Southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Before joining the ranks of Senate Republican lawmakers, Senator Fowler first answered the call to public service close to home, serving on the Saline County Board, as a Harrisburg City Commissioner, and then as Mayor of Harrisburg; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler brought to the Senate a rare breadth of life experience, having previously worked in State government under then-Secretary of State Jim Edgar and retiring after a long career with the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler has served the Senate Republican Caucus with distinction as Assistant Republican Leader, helping shape caucus priorities and ensuring that the voice of downstate Illinois was heard; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler has served as Minority Spokesperson on the Senate Higher Education, Education, and Commerce Committees and as Republican Spokesperson on the Special Committee on Tourism, where he became one of the Senate's most effective champions of regional economic development; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler has been a constant advocate for the growth, development, and prosperity of Southern Illinois, with a legislative record centered on jobs, tourism, agriculture, and the quality of life of the people he represents; and

WHEREAS, There is no greater advocate for Southern Illinois than Senator Fowler, who has never met a colleague, a visitor, or a stranger he could not talk into making the trip down to see the rolling hills, the Shawnee Forest, the wineries, and the small-town charm of the region for themselves; and

WHEREAS, Through his Southern Illinois Treasures initiative, Senator Fowler has shined a spotlight on the hidden gems of the region, from state parks and historic sites to local festivals and family-owned businesses, helping visitors and lifelong residents alike discover what makes Southern Illinois one of the best-kept secrets in the State; and

WHEREAS, Among his most lasting economic contributions, Senator Fowler helped bring Walker's Bluff Casino Resort to Southern Illinois and was instrumental in advancing the State's first-ever STAR bond project, which paved the way for the Oasis Powersports and Family Entertainment Center in Marion; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler created the Southern Illinois Made Expo to spotlight the region's manufacturers, workforce, and innovation, an event that has raised more than $500,000 for local veterans' organizations and has become a signature event in Southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler has invested in the next generation of Southern Illinois leaders through his student advisory councils, giving dozens of high school students from across the district over the years a firsthand look at state government, the legislative process, and the work of representing a community well; and

WHEREAS, When a 2022 request from an eleven-year-old constituent landed on his desk, Senator Fowler carried the bill that made the Eastern Milk Snake the Official State Snake of Illinois, a reminder that no constituent is too young, and no idea too small, to find a friend in the 59th District office; and

WHEREAS, Bringing jobs and economic opportunity to Southern Illinois was at the heart of everything Senator Fowler did in the Senate; whether it was a new business opening its doors, a tourism project taking shape, or a phone call to fight for more opportunities in his district, the goal was always the same, a stronger future for the region he calls home; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler kept a longstanding promise made when he first sought office, to serve no more than ten years and to opt out of a legislative pension; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler's service has always extended well beyond the Capitol, including through the Fowler-Bonan Foundation he founded and chairs and through community-based efforts that have clothed children and fed neighbors across Southern Illinois for more than two decades; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler is admired by his colleagues for his decency, his willingness to listen, and the warm personal regard he extends to every member of the Senate and its staff; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler has worked across the aisle and across administrations, partnering with governors of both parties to deliver real wins for Southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler is the proud husband of his wife, Jill, the proud father of his two children, Hannah and Ben, and the proud grandfather to his grandson, Whit, whose love and support have sustained him through every chapter of his public service; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler will be missed by the colleagues and staff who have worked alongside him; he will fondly be known as the guy who always has time to talk, always remembers your kids' names, and always has your back; and

WHEREAS, With his retirement, Senator Fowler leaves this office with a full heart and the lasting gratitude of the region he has spent a lifetime serving; and

WHEREAS, Senator Fowler has been a shining example of what it means to be a good leader, a loyal friend, and a dedicated public servant; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank Senator Dale Fowler for his many years of dedicated service to the people of Southern Illinois and the State of Illinois and honor him with this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Senator Fowler with our best wishes for all his future endeavors.