HR0036 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0036 LRB101 06851 ALS 51882 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Phillip E. Paeltz on his success as a founder and the first Headmaster of Governor French Academy; and

WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Edward and Nancy Paeltz; he spent his early years in Ripley, Ohio, and moved with his family to Alton when his father was hired by Laclede Steel; he graduated from Alton High School; he attended Southern Illinois University, where he received both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree; and

WHEREAS, A student of Kaid Friedel, Myron Bloom, and Ward Fearn, Phillip Paeltz originally trained to be a French hornist; in 1969, he graduated with a degree in music performance and education; by the age of 19, he had performed with the St. Louis Symphony, at the Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival, and with several Broadway touring companies; he fulfilled his military service by playing in the United States Air Force bands, including at Scott Air Force Base; in recent years, he has played the French horn as a volunteer with the St. Louis and the Belleville Philharmonic orchestras and also conducted the Belleville Philharmonic; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, Phillip Paeltz's music career was curtailed by an illness; he then began teaching at Belleville East High School and earned a Master's Degree in English with a major in Theatre; he maintains that the theatre training he received is the best preparation for anyone pursuing a teaching career; disillusion with public school education and motivated by his own dedication to prepare students for higher education, he became a part of the creation of the Governor French Academy; and

WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz was one of seven people who organized and started the Governor French Academy; teachers at the Academy choose to teach college-preparatory academics in the manner and the principles utilized by successful music conservatories; this guided practice leads to a mastery of skills, and a mastery of skills leads to a conceptual understanding; and

WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz attributes the success of Governor French Academy to its "refusal to improve," referring to the perpetual changes in educational practices in this country; Governor French Academy has sustained itself and its students by continuing to teach hard work, basic skills, and perseverance; the Academy has "not improved itself" into the position of being one of the best schools in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz has served as Headmaster of Governor French Academy since 1983; he currently resides in Lebanon with his wife, Myra Blackmon, in a house previously owned by former Illinois Governor Augustus French; he is the brother of Tim (Theresa) Paeltz and the uncle to Rosemary; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Phillip E. Paeltz on his success as the founder and first Headmaster of Governor French Academy, and we honor his leadership; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Phillip Paeltz as an expression of our esteem and respect.