HR0956

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate Robert Coomer on 
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the occasion of his retirement as Director of the Illinois 
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Historic Preservation Agency after 28 years of service; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Coomer was raised in Springfield; he 
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graduated from Western Illinois University before receiving 
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his master's degree from the University of Illinois; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Coomer began his career in conservation in 
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1979; in 1982, he became the Superintendent of Historic Sites 
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with the Department of Conservation; he became Superintendent 
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of Historic Sites with the Illinois Historic Preservation 
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Agency after the agency's formation in 1985; he was named IHPA 
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Director on September 1, 2004; and

 
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    WHEREAS, As IHPA Director, Robert Coomer was involved in 
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establishing the criteria for the selection of the Abraham 
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Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum's architect and 
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exhibit designer; he also participated in the conceptual and 
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design phases of the project; on April 19, 2005, Director 
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Coomer, along with Governor Rod Blagojevich, welcomed 
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President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, a host of 
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dignitaries, and 25,000 spectators to the Abraham Lincoln 
 


 






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Presidential Library and Museum's grand opening; Director 
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Coomer has also helped bring back seven-day-per-week 
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operations at most of the State's historic sites during the 
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summer tourism season; and


 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Coomer will be remembered by his colleagues 
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and co-workers as an accessible, dedicated, and enthusiastic 
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director whose honesty and fairness endeared him to everyone he 
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met; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate Robert Coomer on the occasion of his retirement 
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and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and 
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be it further

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