HR0445 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Dr. Charles "Charlie" Martinez of Chicago for being the first ever recipient of the Direct Energy and Tribune Media Group's Chicago Volunteer Citizen of the year award; and

WHEREAS, The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is designed to recognize those citizens in the Chicago area that go above and beyond for their communities; and

WHEREAS, Six years ago, Dr. Martinez and his boyhood friend, the late George Maltezos, decided to start a free primary care clinic on the belief that all people, regardless of socio-economic status, have the right to quality health care; and

WHEREAS, While most people in their 70s are thinking about retirement, instead, Dr. Martinez, a former nuclear medicine specialist, volunteers 5 days a week, mostly 8 hours per day, at the Old Irving Park Community Clinic, by leading the medical staff, networking within the community to obtain free tests and specialist referrals, and advocating and offering advice for patients, which numbered more than 3,000, free of cost last year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Martinez will be honored on June 18, 2013 at the Tribune Tower in recognition of his service to his community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and honor Dr. Charles Martinez for being an outstanding volunteer and for being the recipient of the first ever Direct Energy and Tribune Media Group's Chicago Volunteer Citizen of the Year award; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Charles Martinez as a symbol of our respect and esteem.