HR0237 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0237 LRB097 11385 GRL 53680 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Paul Ritter, a science teacher at Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac, on the occasion of being designated as a SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Outstanding Environmental Educator; and

WHEREAS, The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) named Paul Ritter as a SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Outstanding Environmental Educator; NSTA presently gives out annual NSTA Teacher Awards Program to honor deserving K-12 teachers, principals, professors, and other science education professionals for their outstanding work and achievement in science education; and

WHEREAS, Paul Ritter grew up in Mendota; he earned his bachelor's degree in zoology and his master's degree in secondary science education from Eastern Illinois University; he began his teaching career in 1994 in biology and earth science; and

WHEREAS, Paul Ritter has a passion for education and the environment, which led him to complete several projects, including the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program, the Pontiac Township High School Crayon Recycling Program, the PTHS Cell Phone Recycling Program, the Pontiac Billboard Project, the PTHS Ecology Class "Adopt A Highway" Project, the PTHS Ecology Student Weather Radio Program, and the Storm Sewer Stenciling Program, a community project between Pontiac Township High School students and Pontiac Grade School students; his projects combine the efforts of his students with other classes, communities, businesses, and state governments; his most recognized project is the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program, which educates the public about the harm done to the environment because of drug disposal practices and provides people with an alternative way of disposal, ensuring the quality of water for the future; and

WHEREAS, Paul Ritter was the 2007-2008 Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of the Year runner-up, the 2009-2010 NSDAR Illinois Conservation Award winner, the 2009-2010 NSDAR National Conservation Award runner-up, and the 2009-2010 Illinois Conservation Teacher of the Year; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Paul Ritter on the occasion of being designated as a SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Outstanding Environmental Educator and wish him continued success in his career as an educator; and be it further

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