HR0827

LRB093 21805 KEF 49677 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3
Representatives wish to congratulate Margaret Blackshere of 
4
Niles for being selected as the Northeastern Illinois 
5
Federation of Labor Person of the Year; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, Ms. Blackshere is a former classroom teacher who 
7
has served at all levels of the labor movement from president 
8
of her local union in Madison to Statewide vice president of 
9
the Illinois Federation of Teachers; she served as secretary 
10
and treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO from 1993 to 2000, when 
11
she was elected president; and

 
12
    WHEREAS, Ms. Blackshere received a bachelor's degree in 
13
elementary education and a master's degree in urban education 
14
from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; and

 
15
    WHEREAS, She serves on a variety of boards and councils, 
16
including the United Way of Illinois, the American Red Cross in 
17
Illinois, the Workers' Compensations Advisory Board, the 
18
Unemployment Insurance Advisory Board, the Alliance for 
19
Retired Americans Executive Board, the Industrial Commission's 
20
Self Insurer's Advisory Board, and the Chicago Metropolis 2020 
21
Board; and

 
22
    WHEREAS, Ms. Blackshere has received awards such as the 
23
Labor Leader Award in 2000 from the Labor Council for Latin 
24
American Advancement, the Israel Peace Medal in 2000 from the 
25
State of Israel, and the Protector of Working People Award in 
26
2002 from the Illinois State Crime Commission; she was the 
27
guest of honor in 2003 for Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade 
28
and in 1998 was inducted into the Illinois Labor History 
29
Society's Union Hall of Honor; and

 
30
    WHEREAS, She has been a delegate to the Democratic National 
 


 






HR0827
- 2 -
LRB093 21805 KEF 49677 r




1
Convention, served as director of the Illinois Democratic 
2
Coordinated Campaign in 1990 and 1992, and is a member of the 
3
Democratic National Committee; she was the co-chair of Governor 
4
Blagojevich's transition team; she is also a member of the 
5
American Federation of Teachers Local 763; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, She is a strong advocate of working men and women 
7
and their families; therefore, be it
 
8
    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
9
NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
10
congratulate Margaret Blackshere for being selected as the 
11
Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor Person of the Year 
12
and wish her good health and happiness in all her future 
13
endeavors; and be it further

 
14
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15
presented to Margaret Blackshere as a token of our respect and 
16
esteem.