HJ0102 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0102 LRB100 20369 MST 35669 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Jim Kiser on being selected as the City of Darien 2018 Citizen of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kiser became a member of the Darien Lions Club in 1997; known as "Mr. Lion", he has held all 12 positions on the board of directors and served as president from 2013 to 2014; he has chaired nearly all of the 30 committees; his major contributions included the 2001 4th of July Parade, the 2009 Darienfest Beer Tent, the 2005 and 2008 Darienfest Corn Tent, the 2002 Candy Day, the 1999 Children's Halloween Party, the 2006 Pancake Breakfast, the 1999 Big Raffle, and the 2011 Golf Outing; he also led the Candy Day Business from 2001 to 2008; he not only lends his helping hands to the Darien Lions Club but seeks out the needs of the Downers Grove and Westmont clubs; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kiser has brought recognition to Darien by his participation in regional and international Lions activities; he has taken on the role as the District 1J Zone Chair for the Southeast Region, chaired the State's "Alert" program, and in 2017, was chair of recruiting high school marching bands to participate in the Lions International Parade in Chicago; in 2007, he was an active member for the 90th International Lions Anniversary Committee; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kiser received the 2003 Lions of Illinois Foundation Award, 2004-2005 Darien Lion of the Year, the 2005 Darien Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellow, the 2011 District U George Lazansky Award, and the 2016 Darien Lions Lifetime Achievement Award; he was a 2016 Melvin Jones Fellowship Recipient; and

WHEREAS, For over 15 years, Jim Kiser has enjoyed helping the Easter Bunny, the Lions Club, and the Darien Park District hide Easter eggs in the various parks for the annual Easter Egg Hunt; annually, he has assisted the city's Chamber of Commerce in planning and setting up for Darienfest; he has been instrumental working on the safety committee for the Darien Dash; in 2009, he received the Darien Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Award; for the last six years, he has served the City of Darien as a member of the Holiday Lights Committee, locating homes and taking photos; he loves decorating his own home for the holidays as well; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kiser assists Giant Steps, a school for autistic children, with their annual spring barbeque and again in the fall for their welcome back spaghetti dinner; from 2004 to 2012, he also assisted the Hinsdale High School Booster Club at the concessions stands during athletic events; he is a donor of blood and platelets to the LifeSource Blood services center; he has given 49 times so far; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kiser's dedication to his parish, Our Lady of Peace, spans over 21 years; he served as a Religious Education Instructor from 2002 to 2012, helping grade school children prepare for their upcoming sacraments; he was a member of the Church's Parish Council for a year, and since 2005 has been a member of the Holy Name Society, serving as a board member numerous times; he is the first to volunteer for any major fundraising activity the Parish plans; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Jim Kiser and his wife, Carrie, were married and became homeowners in the Hinswood Patio Homes subdivision; he has served several years on the Homeowners Board of Directors; in 1993, they moved to their present home; and

WHEREAS, Jim and his wife have two children, Thomas and Katelyn; Jim has instilled in his children the importance of giving as they regularly volunteered right alongside their father for numerous events; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we congratulate Jim Kiser on being selected as the City of Darien 2018 Citizen of the Year, and we thank him for his service to his community; and be it further

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