HR0772 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0772 LRB098 18536 MST 53674 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that distinguished lobbyist Richard "Dick" Lockhart has recently celebrated his 90th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart was born in Lima, Ohio on January 20, 1924; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart enlisted in the United States Army in 1943; during his time in the service he was held as a prisoner of war in 1945, and as a result of his bravery and selflessness, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge; he was honorably discharged from service on December 12, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart returned to Chicago and continued his education at Northwestern University Evening School in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart married Dorothy Phelps in 1948 and together they raised 2 children, Lisa and David; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart pursued a career focused on politics, forming a lobbying and consulting firm, Social Engineering Associates in 1958; he published a nonpartisan newsletter, "The Illinois Political Reporter" beginning in 1961 until 1986; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart was named as one of the "10 Best Lobbyists in Illinois" by the Chicago Sun-Times; he served as a special consultant to the President of the Constitutional Convention in 1970, as speaker of the Illinois Third House in 1981, and in 2004, he was the recipient of the Illinois Third House Lifetime Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart has authored numerous works, including a 10,000 word article on Illinois for the Encyclopedia Brittanica, "The Legislative Process and the Pursuit of Virtue", "Words Wise and Otherwise", and "Lockhart Logic", as well as compiling a World War II memoire in which he eagerly shares his vast knowledge with friends and strangers alike; and

WHEREAS, Richard Lockhart has, throughout his lifetime, given generously to support the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Illinois State Library, and the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, Upon entering his 90th year of life, Richard Lockhart continues to serve his clients in a dedicated and professional manner as an esteemed advocate in front of the Illinois General Assembly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we hereby extend our best wishes to Richard "Dick" Lockhart on the occasion of his 90th birthday and commend him for his years of dedication to the people of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Richard Lockhart as an expression of our esteem and respect.