HR0322 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0322 LRB102 18511 MST 26716 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Joe Ciaccio on the occasion of his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Joe Ciaccio was born in Springfield and graduated from Griffin High School in 1969; he graduated from St. Louis University and received his Juris Doctor from the Northern Illinois University College of Law; and

WHEREAS, Joe Ciaccio served as a staff attorney for the Illinois House of Representatives from 1980 to 1983 and as the manager of Government Affairs for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce from 1983 to 1986; and

WHEREAS, Joe Ciaccio served as Vice President and General Counsel for the Illinois Railroad Association; he was elected President of the Illinois Railroad Association in 1999 and is only the third person to head the association; and

WHEREAS, During Joe Ciaccio's leadership at the Illinois Railroad Association, there has been a dramatic and measurable improvement in public safety as realized in fewer fatalities, accidents, and trespassing at railroad crossings due to industry participation with first responders and safety agencies; and

WHEREAS, Joe Ciaccio has worked closely with stakeholders throughout the State of Illinois to maintain and develop Illinois' first in nation status on freight rail volumes, including the unparalleled growth of intermodal, and presently, 46% of the nation's cargo comes through the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Joe Ciaccio has represented Illinois to a larger national group of railroad professionals across the United States at conferences, panels, and meetings as a respected leader; and

WHEREAS, Joe Ciaccio has chaired Illinois' "Third House" and has earned the respect of generations of lobbyists, government affairs representatives, legislative staff, and elected officials; and

WHEREAS, Joe Ciaccio and his wife, Deborah, have two children, Joseph and Michael, and three grandchildren, Leo, Elizabeth, and Madeleine; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Joe Ciaccio on his retirement and wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

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