HR0205 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0205 LRB096 12095 KXB 24190 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Willie Van of Springfield on his retirement from the Sangamon County Juvenile Center; and

WHEREAS, Willie Van is a Springfield native who attended Southeast High School and graduated in May of 1969; Willie earned an athletic scholarship to Augustana College and completed his four years at Augustana, receiving a B.A. degree in Sociology in May of 1973; while at Augustana, Willie participated in football, and in October of 2003 was inducted into the Augustana Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, During his time at Augustana he won awards as Co-Most Valuable Freshman, CCIW All-Conference Team in 1971 and 1972, and he was the first African-American to receive the NAIA All-American Team award in 1971 and 1972; he was the senior year team captain, and was also named to the All-Lutheran Team 1971 and 1972; and

WHEREAS, After graduation, he began working at a Boys Home in Rockford, called Rosecrance; from then on, Willie continued to work in the social service field by working at many more social service agencies; he will conclude his work at Sangamon County Juvenile Center as a Treatment Specialist effective March 31, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Willie began his employment with the Sangamon County Juvenile Center on March 12, 2001 and has worked tirelessly; his responsibilities as Treatment Specialist include securing care, guidance, and discipline for each minor as close as the care that would normally be given by his or her parents; Willie's charge has been the safety, emotional, mental, and physical welfare of minors, as well as strengthening the minor's family ties whenever possible; and

WHEREAS, Willie has strived to deliver the highest quality of services to youth at risk, and despite the challenges that frequently present themselves, he has consistently performed to the very best of his ability and has remained optimistic by always being willing to see a worthwhile attribute in a young person or situation despite how buried it may be; during his eight years at the Center, he has been committed to the lives of youth at risk by being honest, compassionate, and fair toward the juveniles in his care; and

WHEREAS, Willie's favorite things to do are watching sporting events, exploring history and historical places, traveling to different places, cooking, exercising, and listening to music; his favorite color is blue; he is married to Bobbie, and they have three children, Tracie, Willie, and Corie, as well as several grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Willie Van and wish him the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

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