HR0098 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0098 LRB098 10883 MST 41394 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Honorable Terrence J. O'Brien, having dutifully served as a commissioner on the board for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago since 1988, announced his retirement as a commissioner effective November 30, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Following in his father, William M. O'Brien, and his grandfather, John P. Hickey's footsteps, Terrence J. O'Brien wanted to serve the residents of Cook County by working for what was then known as the Metropolitan Sanitary District; and

WHEREAS, Terrence J. O'Brien was first elected in November 1988 to a 6-year term as commissioner and was re-elected in 1994, 2000, and 2006; and

WHEREAS, Proving himself to be an effective leader, Terrence J. O'Brien was elected president of the Board of Commissioners in 1997 for a 2-year term, and was unanimously re-elected by his fellow commissioners 7 times; and

WHEREAS, Making fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers a priority during Commissioner O'Brien's terms as president, the district is one of the few governmental agencies in the State of Illinois to have an AAA bond rating and abated over $228 million dollars back to the taxpayers of Cook County; and

WHEREAS, Passionate about the district's goal to protect our environment, President O'Brien actively pursued continuous funding for the MWRDGC's Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), one of the largest civil engineering projects ever undertaken and named the American Society of Engineers' Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Project of 1986; and

WHEREAS, It was under President O'Brien's leadership that the world saw the completion of the 109 mile network of tunnels, an integral piece of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, allowing the district to capture and treat up to 2.3 billion gallons of sewer overflow during storms that otherwise would end up in the waterways; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing that many individual Chicago land communities lack the technical expertise and funding capabilities to handle flooding issues, President O'Brien spent 7 unrelenting years garnering the necessary support in Springfield for the passage of Public Act 93-1049 (ACT) granting authority for general supervision of stormwater management in Cook County to the district, which was indeed passed on November 17, 2004; and

WHEREAS, President O'Brien instituted the (800) 332-DUMP pollution hotline number for citizens to report illegal dumping of materials into sewers and waterways, enabling the district to take immediate action against these violators and protect the environment; and

WHEREAS, Other various organizations have benefited from President O'Brien's vast knowledge and generous dedication of his time through his service on their executive boards, including but not limited to the Ground Hog Club of Chicago, the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, his alma mater, John Carroll University's President's Council, and the Special Olympics Program for Misericordia Homes; and

WHEREAS, President O'Brien, no stranger to public recognition, has received, among others, the following awards: Statesman of the Year for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 150, the Illinois Committee for Honest Government Award, the Excellence in Community Service Award from John Carroll University, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Public Works Association, and the Public Service Award from the Water Environment Federation; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives extends its heartfelt wishes for as much success in his retirement as Terry has enjoyed throughout his career and express our sincere gratitude to his family, including his wife Julie, sons Kevin and Patrick and daughter, Therese for allowing the district to take advantage of Terry's outstanding commitment and unparalleled talents for the benefit of all the residents of the district; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we do hereby recognize Terrence J. O'Brien's dedicated service for 24 years to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and express our gratitude and appreciation for his work on behalf of the taxpayers of the district; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to President Terrence J. O'Brien as an expression of our esteem and respect.