HR0912 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0912 LRB093 21964 HSS 50711 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Steven K. Hartman as he retires as director of the Skokie Park District; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hartman graduated from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science in recreation and parks administration in 1970; he served as the program director for the Wiconico County Recreation Commission in Salisbury, Maryland, from 1970 to 1972; from 1972 to 1993, he was director of the Lisle Park District, where he managed a multi-million dollar budget; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Mr. Hartman became director of the Skokie Park District; during his tenure, many parks were renovated and maintenance storage was expanded; with the momentum created by a redevelopment program, the district, along with the assistance of a Citizens Advisory Committee held public hearings and neighborhood forums specifically targeted to the redevelopment of the indoor community centers and outdoor pools; in 1995, the Weber Leisure Center opened, including a gym, fitness center, running track, numerous multi-purpose programming rooms, and the administrative headquarters of the district; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Mr. Hartman, the district opened several new facilities, including the Devonshire Aquatic Center, a new day care center, an artificial outdoor ice rink, a teen center called "The Spot", Sports Park, and the Thomas J. Dammrich Rowing Center; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hartman is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Recreation and Park Association, where he served on the Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2004; the Great Lakes Regional Council, where he was chairman in 1992; the Illinois Park and Recreation Association; the Suburban Park and Recreation Association; the Midwest Park Institute; and the Park District Risk Management Association Board of Directors, where he served as chairman in 1988 and 1989; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hartman has been recognized for his efforts in the park district arena; in 1978, he was in Who's Who - Outstanding Young Men in America; he was a recipient of the President's Award from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association in 1985; he received a Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association in 1992; he was chosen to receive the Great Lakes Regional Council Service Award from the National Recreation and Park Association in 1992; and he received the Fellow Award from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association in 1993; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, and 1996, the Skokie Park District was recognized by the National Parks and Recreation Association (NRPA) as a finalist for the Gold Medal Award; in 1996, the district received the Distinguished Park and Recreation Agency Certification from the Joint Illinois Parks and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park Districts accreditation committee; in 1997, the district won the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Steven K. Hartman as he retires as director of the Skokie Park District; and be it further

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