HJ0032LRB097 11757 GRL 54897 r


  
1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Frank Watson's political career began when he was 
3elected to the office of Bond County Central Township 
4supervisor and trustee; in 1979, he was elected to serve in the 
5Illinois House of Representatives, where he served until 1983, 
6when he was elected to serve as Senator of the 55th District; 
7he served the 55th district faithfully from 1983 until 2003, 
8when legislative redistricting gave him a new district 
9territory, the 51st District, and he was elected to served that 
10district; he served as the Assistant Majority Leader in the 
11Senate from 1993 to 2002 and as Senate Republican leader from 
122003 until 2008; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, During his time in the Illinois General Assembly, 
14Frank Watson became known as a leader in economic development, 
15a believer in education reform, a fighter for Illinois coal, 
16and, in an issue close to his heart, a champion in the fight 
17for affordable prescription drugs; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Frank Watson was and continues to be a great 
19spokesman who fought an often-challenging Illinois political 
20landscape to help not only the people of his district, but 
21citizens across the State in the best way he knew how: by 
22creating new laws and improving Illinois in ways that give its 
23citizens the tools they needed to succeed in their lives; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Even after resigning from the State Senate on his 
2own accord, Frank Watson is still a mentor and advisor to 
3Representatives and Senators alike; beyond the political 
4scope, Frank Watson is a friend of many who consider themselves 
5the beneficiary of the friendship; and

  
 
6    WHEREAS, Frank Watson and his wife, Susan, reside in 
7Greenville; they have two adult children and one grandchild; 
8therefore, be it
  
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
11SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the portion of 
12Interstate 70 from mile marker 23 to 65 as the Frank Watson 
13Parkway in honor of Frank Watson and his contributions to the 
14State of Illinois; and be it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation 
16is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with 
17State regulations, plaques or signs giving notice of the name; 
18and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
20presented to the Illinois Secretary of Transportation and Frank 
21Watson.