HR1430 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1430 LRB096 23930 KXB 43320 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) was formed in 1976, through the vision of the partners, to provide the same variety of recreation services for those with disabilities as the services available to the general public; and

WHEREAS, From humble beginnings in 1977, when the first summer day camp was offered, NEDSRA now provides more than 600 programs and services to more than 4,000 separate individuals; and

WHEREAS, After more than 33 years of dedicated service, Executive Director Larry Reiner is retiring as the leader of NEDSRA on November 5, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Over the past three to four decades, the public has increasingly come to better understand and embrace people with disabilities, and as this understanding has grown, so has the need for special parks and recreation services; and

WHEREAS, Larry thrived on this challenge, and under his direction, NEDSRA has become one of the country's best agencies at providing parks and recreation programs and services to individuals with a special need; and

WHEREAS, NEDSRA has received numerous State and national awards, twice receiving the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management; and

WHEREAS, NEDSRA is financially sound, and due to Larry's excellent leadership and passion for making NEDSRA the best it can be, the agency's programs, services, and staff are strong; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to the steadfast support of the Association's member agencies, participants, parents, friends, and families, other individuals, local and State organizations, and Larry and the dedicated NEDSRA staff, the agency has grown and prospered over the years; and

WHEREAS, The NEDSRA Board and Staff will be celebrating Larry's legacy on October 20, 2010 at the Medinah Shrine Center in Addison; and

WHEREAS, Larry's vision and dedication to people with disabilities has been second to none throughout his remarkable career; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we wish Larry Reiner well in his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated service to the NEDSRA family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Larry Reiner with our gratitude and esteem.