HR1340 LRB095 21542 KXB 51346 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate Mena Boulanger,
4 Director of Government Affairs for Brookfield Zoo, as she
5 retires at the end of May, 2008; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Mena Boulanger has served for nearly 30 years at
7 two State of Illinois premier zoological parks: Lincoln Park
8 Zoo in Chicago from 1979 to 1990 and Brookfield Zoo from 1990
9 to 2008; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo welcome close
11 to five million guests each year, including hundreds of
12 thousands of school children; they both provide rich
13 experiences with the natural world and its animal ambassadors
14 that help promote conservation appreciation, awareness, and
15 action, as well as conservation research; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Mena served as the chief development officer at
17 both zoos, where she oversaw the raising of millions of dollars
18 of private funds for their daily operation, as well as meeting
19 the long term capital development and maintenance needs of both
20 zoos; Mena has served as both director of development and
21 director of government affairs for the Chicago Zoological
22 Society during her eighteen years of service; and
 

 

 

HR1340 - 2 - LRB095 21542 KXB 51346 r

1     WHEREAS, In her role as Director of Government Affairs for
2 the Brookfield Zoo, her diligent work on legislation brought
3 significant bonding authority to the Cook County Forest
4 Preserve District for its holdings, as well as Brookfield Zoo
5 and the Chicago Botanic Garden; she has developed personal
6 relationships with public officials on a local, county, state,
7 and federal level and is known to many as the "Zoo Lady" for
8 her tours and her tireless efforts to promote the Zoo and its
9 mission; and
 
10     WHEREAS, She is retiring to spend more time with her
11 husband David and their children and grandchildren; she will
12 continue to be involved in the community and work on her
13 award-winning garden; therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
16 congratulate Mena Boulanger on her retirement and wish her the
17 best in her future endeavors; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to Mena Boulanger as a symbol of our respect.