HR1238 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1238 LRB095 20935 KXB 49894 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Homewood Police Chief Larry Burnson on the occasion of being selected by the Illinois State Crime Commission as the 2008 Police Chief of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Larry Burnson earned his associate's degree in Law Enforcement from South Suburban College, his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Lewis University, and his master's degree in Public Administration from DePaul University; and

WHEREAS, Larry Burnson began his law enforcement career with the Matteson Police Department on October 1, 1974; he rose through the ranks of the department to become Matteson's Police Chief on August 1, 1991, remaining in that position until his retirement on December 7, 2001; and

WHEREAS, On December 10, 2001, Larry Burnson began his second law enforcement career as the Chief of Police for the Homewood Police Department, a position he currently serves in with dignity and integrity; and

WHEREAS, Larry Burnson is a past president of the South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police; he is the founding father and past chairperson of the Family & Youth Initiative of Rich Township; he has served as vice-president of the Unity Coalition of the South Suburbs and as an adjunct faculty member at Prairie State College; he is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and served as President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in 2007; he has also served as an active member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police since 1981, having served on the legislative, auditing, conference, gang awareness, and domestic violence committees during his many years there; and

WHEREAS, Larry Burnson currently serves as a member of the Dare International Law Enforcement Advisory Board, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Civil Rights Committee, and as treasurer of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force; and

WHEREAS, Larry Burnson was selected by Illinois State Crime Commission Executive Director Jerry Elsner along with the Board Members of the Illinois State Crime Commission for this honor due to his impressive achievements and service to many professional and civic organizations; he will be officially awarded this honor in June of 2008 at the annual "Salute to those Who Make a Difference" award ceremony; and

WHEREAS, Larry Burnson's dedication to his profession and his willingness to serve his community make him a model for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Homewood Police Chief Larry Burnson on the occasion of being selected as the 2008 Police Chief of the Year and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

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