HR1536

LRB095 22583 KXB 52979 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives have learned of the pending retirement of one 
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of the State's most respected journalists, admired 
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gubernatorial advisers, and insightful academics, Mike 
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Lawrence; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While many have been the subject of his 
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commentaries of a somewhat critical nature, it is recognized 
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that Mike Lawrence always grounded his opinions in fact; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While some occupants of the ivory tower of 
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academia lack real world experiences, Mike Lawrence has toiled 
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as a journalist, first for the Quad City Times, Lee 
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Enterprises, and the Chicago Sun-Times; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He has learned about politics and government from 
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the inside through his work with former Governor Jim Edgar; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While with the governor he was known to share his 
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views on journalists and their work in rapid fire, rapid 
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response fashion; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Throughout his career Mike Lawrence was honored by 
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such groups as the Associated Press Editors Association, the 
 


 






HR1536
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LRB095 22583 KXB 52979 r




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Campaign for Political Reform, and his alma mater, Knox 
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College; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mike Lawrence is retiring as the Director of the 
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Paul Simon Institute at Southern Illinois 
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University-Carbondale; it is expected that he will remain an 
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active writer and observer of the political scene in Illinois 
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and beyond; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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recognize that the State of Illinois is a better place because 
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of the work of Mike Lawrence, and we extend our best wishes to 
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him on his retirement, and thank him for his many years of 
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outstanding service to the people of the State of Illinois; and 
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be it further

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