HR0348 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0348 LRB097 11860 KXB 55274 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize State Representative Harry Osterman for his years of service and hard work on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman is a lifelong resident of Chicago's North Side, born and bred in the Edgewater community; he served as President of the Edgewater Community Council and as a member of the Edgewater Development Corporation; he attended Illinois State University and Loyola University; he returned to his home neighborhood to help better his community, a value he learned from his mother, former 48th Ward Alderman and later Director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events Kathy Osterman; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman began his career as an aide to 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith, serving as a public safety liaison to the Chicago Police Department and Cook County State's Attorney's Office; in 2000, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Illinois House of Representatives and has since been overwhelmingly re-elected by his constituents; during his time in the Illinois House, he has earned a reputation as a caring and passionate yet tough advocate for his constituents and for the issues that matter to them; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman has dedicated his career to making neighborhoods safer and ending gun violence; he has worked with the Chicago Police Department and the law enforcement community to keep illegal weapons off our streets, pass tougher firearm licensing requirements, and ban military-style assault weapons; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman, in his pursuit of public safety, has worked with neighborhood advocates and law enforcement agencies to increase funding for community policing and violence mediation programs; he has partnered with the Chicago Police Department to increase patrols in high-crime areas and to empower residents with information to help keep their families safe; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman believes strongly in helping all Illinois citizens attain equality; he helped to pass legislation to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, lending, employment, and public accommodation, and he has fought for increased funding for programs that help people living with HIV/AIDS; and he helped to pass landmark legislation legalizing civil unions in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman has fought hard for a strong education system that will provide our children with the knowledge and skills they will need to compete in a global economy; he has worked for funding to reduce class sizes and increase quality early education programs; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman believes that we must preserve and improve our environment for future generations; he has consistently supported efforts to protect Lake Michigan, including helping to create the Great Lakes Compact, and he has secured State funding to improve beach facilities; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman has championed strong ethics laws, transparency and campaign finance reform; he helped to pass the State's first law limiting campaign contributions and a law banning certain State contractors from donating to the campaigns of the State officeholders who award their contracts; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman has worked to reduce property taxes, expand access to quality health care, support local parks, foster economic development, and help residents cut red tape; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman was recently elected Alderman of Chicago's 48th Ward, a role that will allow him to continue as an advocate for the people; and

WHEREAS, Representative Osterman is married to the former Peggy Joyce; they are the proud parents of Jack, Harry, and Katie; and Representative Osterman is known affectionately to his colleagues as "Mr. Mom"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Representative Harry Osterman on his ascension from the Illinois House of Representatives to the Chicago City Council and wish him the best as he begins a new journey of public service; and be it further

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