HR0949 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0949 LRB093 22154 KEF 50952 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Dave Morrison, Band Director of Prospect High School, on being named Illinois Teacher of the Year for 2003-2004;; and

WHEREAS, Dave Morrison, a 25-year veteran of Prospect High School, began his career as a band director almost 30 years ago because of his obsession "with the power and beauty of hearing and making music"; he has a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from University of Illinois at Champaign, having received highest honors; he then attained his Masters of Science and his Masters plus 30 AHCE Educational Administration at the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, His career at Prospect, however, has yielded much more for him and his students; some of the many accomplishments they have achieved over the years include playing for the President of the United States on three occasions, winning the Grand Championship Governor's traveling trophy at the University of Illinois marching contest for 20 consecutive years, and performing twice in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City; the most rewarding experience for Morrison and his students was when they performed the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Amazing Grace" at the World Trade Center Ground Zero last fall; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morrison spent the 2003 fall semester speaking at teacher workshops, educational conferences, and civic and community meetings; he received a lifetime tuition waiver to state universities and a one-semester paid leave to pursue graduate work or develop an educational project that will benefit students across the State; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Morrison will represent Illinois at the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, and in the National Teacher of the Year program sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morrison believes that the most effective and proper study of music is through the students' personal involvement in producing musical meaning, communication, and expression in a performance situation for an audience; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dave Morrison on being named Illinois Teacher of the Year and recognize his hard efforts and dedication to spread his love of music to the youth of today; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dave Morrison as a token of our respect and esteem.