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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to recognize Tom Carper for his
4remarkable contributions to the City of Macomb, the State of
5Illinois, and the nation's rail infrastructure; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Tom Carper, a former Mayor of Macomb and a
7recently retired member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, has
8exhibited an unwavering commitment to public service and
9transportation excellence; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Tom Carper is the longest-tenured board member in
11the history of Amtrak, a testament to his dedication and
12leadership; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Tom Carper's tenure on the Amtrak Board of
14Directors began in 2008 following his nomination by President
15Bush and continued through subsequent reappointments,
16including one by President Obama; he has served with
17distinction under four different presidents, showcasing his
18bipartisan and dedicated approach to governance; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Tom Carper, in his role as chairman of the board
20from 2009 until the expiration of his term in 2013 and beyond
21through his reappointment, championed critical issues, such as

 

 

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1ensuring service to underserved communities, bolstering local
2economies, and enhancing safety and cybersecurity measures,
3thereby embodying the spirit of public service; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Tom Carper has consistently been a champion of
5the Illinois passenger rail network, helping deliver historic
6capital investments from the American Rescue and Recovery Act
7and serving as a leader of the successful coalition that
8pushed for increased passenger rail service throughout the
9State of Illinois; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Tom Carper's leadership extended beyond his
11national service to include significant local contributions as
12the mayor of Macomb for over a decade and as a director of a
13regional economic development plan, positions through which he
14gained invaluable insights into economic development and
15community service in the Midwest; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Tom Carper's military service in the U.S. Army in
17Thailand and Vietnam and his leadership in both local and
18national capacities reflect his profound commitment to his
19country and community; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Tom Carper's deep understanding of the importance
21of passenger rail service and his efforts to modernize
22America's transportation infrastructure have left an indelible

 

 

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1mark on the nation and particularly on the State of Illinois;
2therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
4HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
5we recognize Tom Carper for his remarkable contributions to
6the City of Macomb, the State of Illinois, and the nation's
7rail infrastructure and extend our heartfelt gratitude for his
8years of service and dedication; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to Tom Carper as a symbol of our deep appreciation
11for his exemplary service and as a token of our best wishes for
12his future endeavors.