HR0939 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0939 LRB096 20606 GRL 36311 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Donna S. Phillips, who passed away on January 10, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Donna Phillips was born in Decatur to Howard and Evelyn Phillips, who preceded her in death; she earned her bachelor's degree in physical education from Eastern Illinois University in 1964, her master's degree in physical education from Western Illinois University in 1967, and her Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Donna Phillips had a long and distinguished career at Western Illinois University; she began her career at WIU in the fall of 1967 as an instructor in physical education; throughout her career, she taught activity, theory, and jazz dance courses; in 1973, she was promoted to assistant professor; in 1979, she was promoted to associate professor; in 1987, she was promoted to professor; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, when Western Illinois University's men's and women's physical education departments combined into one department, Donna Phillips became the department's undergraduate program coordinator; she served as department chair from July 1, 1993 until her retirement on March 31, 2004 after 37 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Donna Phillips has been credited with starting Western Illinois University's fitness education program (now called the exercise science program), which was featured in the October 1988 edition of the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (JOPERD); during her tenure, the athletic training education program received a letter of initial accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (1999), becoming one of less than 100 accredited programs in the U.S. at that time; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her career at Western Illinois University, Donna Phillips served on numerous departmental, college, university, State, and national committees; she was a member of several North Central Accreditation teams; she served the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) as chair of the physical education state curriculum committee and as a past president; she was an active member of the national American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); and

WHEREAS, Donna Phillips was the recipient of numerous accolades for her service at Western Illinois University, including the former College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Outstanding Teacher Award in 1989 and the IAPHERD Service Award in 1992; she was also a recipient of WIU Faculty Excellence Awards during both of those years; in 1992, she was named to Who's Who in American Education; in 1994, she was initiated into Western's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi; she was one of 45 women who were featured in the "Women of Western Centennial Photographic Exhibit" during Western's Centennial celebration in 1999-2000; in the fall of 2002, she was presented with the AAHPERD College and University Administrators Council's (CUAC) Honor Award, based on her professional involvement at the State, district, and national levels; she was cited for her service to the profession through CUAC and her leadership on the American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness (AAALF) executive board and awards committee; she was a recipient of the IAHPERD service award; she was also the recipient of the 2004 WOW Achievement Award from the Western Organization for Women; and

WHEREAS, Donna Phillips was one of the first 2 women inducted into the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989; she was a highly successful badminton coach from 1971 to 1983, guiding WIU's teams to 8 of 9 Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national tournaments; she coached Western to 3rd place nationally in 1972; from 1975 to 1983, she led more than a dozen competitors to the quarterfinal rounds in AIAW national tournaments; she served as host and tournament director for 2 AIAW nationals in Macomb in 1975 and 1981; she was also active in the National Collegiate Badminton Coaches' Council, where she served a term as chair; and

WHEREAS, Donna Phillips was a member of the Board of Directors for Western Illinois University's State University Annuitants Association (SUAA), where she had served as past president; she was also a member of Small Paws Rescue Inc., a rescue organization for Bichons; and

WHEREAS, Donna Phillips enjoyed skiing, playing tennis, and riding her horse; she was a member of the Macomb Road Runners and Western's Harry Mussatto Golf Course; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Donna S. Phillips; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Donna Phillips as an expression of our sympathy.