HR1088 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1088 LRB093 22577 KEF 52338 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Ms. Ceola Davis Barnes, principal of Jane A. Neil Elementary School at 8555 South Michigan in Chicago, for her dedication to educational excellence; and

WHEREAS, Jane A. Neil Elementary School has 169 faculty and staff members and 382 students; the school serves students with various disabilities as well as a population of General Education Students; and

WHEREAS, As principal, Ms. Barnes is involved in every aspect of the school's operations, including assigning students to classes, evaluating teachers, enforcing the rules, and maintenance of the building; she is the school's leader and sets the tone for the school climate; as the school's leader, her actions are noticed and interpreted by others as what is important; she communicates the school's vision and mission clearly and consistently to staff members, parents, and students and fosters standards for teaching and learning that are high and attainable; and

WHEREAS, The Area Instructional Officer, the school board, the staff, and the parents hold her accountable in formal and informal ways for the school's outcomes; she serves as an instructional leader, a building manager, an agent of change, a personnel administrator, and a disciplinarian; she is often called upon to solve academic and social problems and involve parents in the school's decisions; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Barnes has extended her leadership qualities to the community by serving as chairperson of the Lambda Tau Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated "Rising Stars:4 A Tribute to African American Young Men" annual affair; she sits on the Advisory Board of the Reclaim a Youth (RAY) Organization; her commitment to service, educational excellence, and a desire to give back to a higher learning institution led her to be the 1st runner-up in the 2000 "Miss UAPB Alumni Queen" contest representing the Greater Chicago-Metro, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Alumni Chapter; her efforts assisted in raising $28,000 for her alma mater; and

WHEREAS, Her accomplishments also include recognition and awards such as the Coca Cola Outstanding Educator Award, AKA Service Awards, the Black Educator Award (Cosmopolitan Community Church), the New Faith Baptist Church Leader Award, and the Outstanding Educator's Award for the 7th Congressional District; and

WHEREAS, The school is paying tribute to Ms. Ceola Davis Barnes at the Faculty End of the Year Recognition Program for her inspiring leadership and constructive influence; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Ms. Ceola Davis Barnes for her dedication to excellence in education; and we wish her good health and happiness in all her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Ceola Davis Barnes as a token of our admiration.