HR0592 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0592 LRB095 12692 GRL 38012 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate William Norwood for his many accomplishments in the aviation field and his continuous work within his community; and

WHEREAS, William Norwood was born in Centralia; he attended Lincoln Elementary and Centralia Township High Schools; he graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1959 with a degree in chemistry; he was also the first black quarterback of the university's football team; he received his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1974, with an emphasis in International Labor Relations; and

WHEREAS, William Norwood's work career began at age 10, selling The Grit newspaper; he spent most subsequent summers working in carpentry with his father; he served in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1965, primarily flying the B-52; he joined United Airlines in 1965, where he has flown all cockpit positions and many different commercial airplanes; in February 1996, he retired from United Airlines as a DC-10 Captain after an exemplary 31-year career; and

WHEREAS, William Norwood was a member of the SIU Board of Trustees from 1974 to 2001; he is a member of the Airline Pilots Association; and he is a member of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots, where he has served multiple terms as treasurer, president, and chairman of the board; and

WHEREAS, In honor of his achievements in aviation and education and his 31 years of dedicated service to United Airlines, William Norwood's name was painted on a United Airlines Boeing 727 at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry on February 6, 1996; and

WHEREAS, William Norwood continues to be active within his community; he is an organizer and instructor for the Southern Illinois Flight Academy, a basic flight training camp for young people in the Carbondale area; he spends time mentoring, tutoring, visiting schools, and giving motivational and career talks; he is an active member of the First United Methodist in Carbondale; he enjoys tennis, hunting, fishing, flying radio control airplanes, and golfing; and

WHEREAS, William Norwood has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including the United Airlines Community Relations Award, the United Flight Operations Special Achievement Award, United Airlines ORD Captain of the Year Award, Chicago Pilot Examiners Association President's Award, the Reach for the Stars Award for Outstanding Graduate of Centralia City Schools, the SIU College of Science Alumni Achievement Award, the Carbondale Lions Club David Kenney Outstanding Service to Country and Community Award, the Meridian High School Commencement Award, the Phi Delta Kappa International Certificate of Recognition, the Black History Month SIU Guest Speaker Award, the Chicagoan of the Year Award, The Black Professional Organization Inc. Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award, the SIU First Honorary Alumni Award from the Black Aviation Association, the Award of Merit from the Educational Council of 100 and SIUC, the Phi Delta Kappa Lay Leaders in Education Award, the Black Affairs Council Outstanding Leadership Award, the Department of Transportation Certificate of Appreciation, the SIUC Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Service to Southern Illinois Award from the Jackson County SIUC Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, William Norwood and his wife, Molly, are life members of the SIU Alumni Association and the NAACP; Mr. Norwood and his family have established 2 scholarships for SIUC students; and an endowment at the Southern Illinois University Public Policy Institute has been established in Bill and Molly Norwood's name; and

WHEREAS, William Norwood's dedication to his profession and his willingness to serve his community make him a model for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate William Norwood on his many accomplishments in the aviation field and his continuous work within his community and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to William Norwood as a symbol of our esteem and respect.