HR1516 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1516 LRB096 24461 GRL 44209 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, William B. "Bill" Black is retiring in December of 2010 after serving the residents of East Central Illinois for nearly 24 years in the Illinois House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black was first elected to the Illinois General Assembly to serve the 105th District in November of 1986 after being appointed to fill a vacancy in February of that year; in November of 2008, he was elected to his 12th term in the 104th District; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black is a native of Danville, where his family has owned and operated a small business for more than 60 years; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black served his hometown as an administrator at Danville Community College and as an organizer of the Danville Area Economic Development Corporation; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black has had a long and distinguished career serving his local community; he served on the Vermilion County Board as a member and chairman; he served as President of the Danville Jaycees and Danville South Rotary; he has also served on the Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Vermilion County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Mental Health Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black joined the late Senator Harry "Babe" Woodyard in the General Assembly to create a formidable team and a strong voice for central Illinois communities; his accomplishments include a law that improved before and after school daycare for Illinois families and a measure that protects the habitats of Illinois wildlife; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black was named Republican Floor Leader and Assistant Republican Leader in 1991 and Deputy Republican Leader in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black is recognized as one of the most gifted orators in the General Assembly and is known for stating his positions strongly and clearly, but often with a touch of humor to lighten up a contentious debate; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black is respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle as a statesman who puts the needs of his district above all other concerns; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black, a former educator, has consistently fought to improve educational opportunities from pre-school to college and beyond; he was the sponsor of legislation to provide school districts more flexibility to consolidate or to modify their school calendars and to eliminate costly tuition waivers imposed on the University of Illinois and other State universities; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black has championed other issues important to families in his district, including protecting the funding for roads and other needed infrastructure improvements, helping low income families and seniors keep warm in the winter by removing the sales tax on natural gas, creating jobs through the creation of Job Renewal Zones, cracking down on drunk and distracted drivers that pose a deadly hazard on our roads, and protecting the rights of adoptive parents; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black successfully worked to keep our State parks and recreational areas open for the education and enjoyment of our families and worked with colleagues across the State and Chicago city leaders to stop the infamous phantom Chicago parking tickets; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black's good humor is infectious, and House Republican members and staff can always count on Representative Black to make them laugh on long session days by ambushing them with squirt guns, silly string, and other toys, or by relaying a funny story or joke; and

WHEREAS, Representative Black has received many honors for his service to his local communities, including several Outstanding Legislator Awards from various Illinois associations; he was also named one of the ten Outstanding State Legislators in the country in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bill Black is married to the former Sharon MacArthur; together, they have 2 grown children, Debra and Doug, and 6 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate our friend and colleague, Representative William B. "Bill" Black, on his retirement from the Illinois House of Representatives and wish him the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to State Representative William B. "Bill" Black as a symbol of our respect and esteem.