HR0236 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0236 LRB095 11691 KXB 34128 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Colleen McShane on her retirement as president of the Illinois Restaurant Association; and

WHEREAS, Colleen McShane was appointed President of the Illinois Restaurant Association in December 1993; the Illinois Restaurant Association is the leading trade association for Illinois' $18 billion foodservice industry, and members represent more than 6,000 foodservice outlets throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, As President, Colleen was responsible for fulfilling the Association's mission to operate an organization of all foodservice enterprises in the State, to promote and strengthen the industry, to champion industry concerns and interests before government entities, to provide leadership and education, and to be of service to the community; and

WHEREAS, During Colleen's tenure, the Illinois Restaurant Association developed a program and curriculum materials for the first food service management school-to-work program called ProStart; subsequently, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation made hospitality school-to-careers a national initiative; since its pilot, the program has expanded from one state to 43 states, and, in Illinois, grown from 100 students in six schools to more than 2000 students in 47 schools; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Illinois Restaurant Association is contracted by the Chicago Mayor's Office of Special Events to manage the food and beverage portion of the Taste of Chicago and other major summer music festivals; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining the Illinois Restaurant Association, Colleen worked as the Director of Public Affairs for the City of Chicago's Department of Aviation for five years; prior to this, she served for four years as the Community Affairs Department liaison for the Cook County States Attorney's Office.; and

WHEREAS, Colleen is the past President of the International Society of Restaurant Association Executives, Vice Chair of V.I.S.I.T. Illinois and the American Institute of Wine and Food; she serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant Association, the Foodservice Professionals Network of Chicago, the Chicago Workforce Development Board, the Governor's Labor Advisory Board, and she is a member of the American Society of Association Executives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Colleen McShane on her retirement and wish her continued success in her future endeavors; and be it further

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