HJ0096 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0096 LRB096 20704 KXB 36431 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly wish to congratulate Dr. James C. Torricelli of Springfield on the occasion of his 75th birthday; and

WHEREAS, The son of Italian immigrants, Dr. Torricelli has dedicated a lifetime of service to the residents of Illinois; as Executive Director of New Start, Inc., a not-for-profit organization in Springfield that provides education and job training opportunities to the unemployed, dislocated and displaced workers, underemployed workers, veterans, the elderly, the handicapped, the economically disadvantaged, those people on welfare, school dropouts, and others, he has influenced and impacted thousands of lives and helped so many find gainful employment; and

WHEREAS, New Start, Inc., has grown from a small counseling and training program for ex-offenders to providing a wide range of training programs that are targeted for many over the course of its 34-year history; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Torricelli has a personal educational philosophy that has led to many years of success in his work; he believes that all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and has worked to offer a wide variety of non-traditional educational opportunities to meet the unique educational needs of each student; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Torricelli's work provides individuals with higher levels of self-confidence, greater employment opportunities, and the potential for upward mobility within their employment; and

WHEREAS, Dr, Torricelli provides a positive and caring nature to the staff of New Start as well; he is the first to celebrate their joys and triumphs, as well as the first person to offer assistance in times of need; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Torricelli holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Northeast Missouri State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Social Studies, Health, and Physical Education from Quincy College; he is also the recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation from the Illinois National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Torricelli is the proud father of five and the loving grandfather of many wonderful grandchildren; all of Dr. Torricelli's children have carried on his ideal of public service in the State of Illinois; he recently celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday with his family and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we congratulate Dr. Torricelli on his 75th birthday, thank him for his years of service to the people of the State of Illinois, and wish him the best for years to come; and be it further

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