HR0184 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0184 LRB103 31729 LAW 60311 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Mark A. Biel, one of its former staffers, on the occasion of his 30th work anniversary at the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Mark Biel is a graduate of Antioch High School in Antioch, and he holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications and political science from Illinois State University; and

WHEREAS, Mark Biel began his career in state government as a legislative intern to both former State Senator William Peterson of Long Grove and former House Majority Leader Robert Churchill; he then joined House Minority Leader Lee A. Daniel's communications staff in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Mark Biel met his future wife, Debbie, while working on the House Republican staff; they were married on August 4, 1990, and they are now parents of two adult children, Samantha and Daniel; and

WHEREAS, Mark Biel first joined the lobbying ranks while representing the Associated Employers of Illinois; he then served as director of Government Affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers' Association for four years; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Mark Biel became the director of Government Affairs for the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois, a statewide trade association that monitors legislative and regulatory activity, with particular emphasis on environmental, energy, tax, and tort reform issues, and also provides science-related educational opportunities and scholarships to Illinois students; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Mark Biel was named the chief executive officer for the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois, and he continues to serve in that position today; during his tenure, the association has grown to over 200 members, representing nearly 700 Illinois facilities; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, Mark Biel served as president of the Illinois Society of Association Executives (ISAE), and he received ISAE's Distinguished Member Award in 2008 for his service to the association field; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Mark Biel was named chairman of the Midwest Region of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Organizational Management, and he also served on the U.S. Chamber's Board of Trustees for the Institute of Organizational Management; and

WHEREAS, Mark Biel has been a huge fan of his children's interest in vocal music and dance, serving as chairman of Glenwood Middle School's Dinner Theatre and Glenwood High School's Show Choir Competition for several years; and

WHEREAS, Mark Biel is a chef at heart and is well known for his beer can chicken, seafood chowder, and bananas foster; he also loves spending his free time traveling, golfing, and cheering for the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls; and

WHEREAS, Mark Biel most cherishes his wife, children, family, friends, and faith; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Mark A. Biel on his 30 years at the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois and wish him many more wonderful years; and be it further

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