HR1340 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1340 LRB095 21542 KXB 51346 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Mena Boulanger, Director of Government Affairs for Brookfield Zoo, as she retires at the end of May, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Mena Boulanger has served for nearly 30 years at two State of Illinois premier zoological parks: Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago from 1979 to 1990 and Brookfield Zoo from 1990 to 2008; and

WHEREAS, Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo welcome close to five million guests each year, including hundreds of thousands of school children; they both provide rich experiences with the natural world and its animal ambassadors that help promote conservation appreciation, awareness, and action, as well as conservation research; and

WHEREAS, Mena served as the chief development officer at both zoos, where she oversaw the raising of millions of dollars of private funds for their daily operation, as well as meeting the long term capital development and maintenance needs of both zoos; Mena has served as both director of development and director of government affairs for the Chicago Zoological Society during her eighteen years of service; and

WHEREAS, In her role as Director of Government Affairs for the Brookfield Zoo, her diligent work on legislation brought significant bonding authority to the Cook County Forest Preserve District for its holdings, as well as Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden; she has developed personal relationships with public officials on a local, county, state, and federal level and is known to many as the "Zoo Lady" for her tours and her tireless efforts to promote the Zoo and its mission; and

WHEREAS, She is retiring to spend more time with her husband David and their children and grandchildren; she will continue to be involved in the community and work on her award-winning garden; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Mena Boulanger on her retirement and wish her the best in her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mena Boulanger as a symbol of our respect.