HR0719 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0719 LRB099 13994 GRL 38002 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize milestone events in the lives of Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that Lauren Malmberg is retiring from Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS), where she served as the Animal Shelter Director; and

WHEREAS, Lauren Malmberg graduated from the University of Illinois in 2001 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management; she went on to earn a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Lauren has been with Peoria County Animal Protection Services for 35 years and served as the Director of the Animal Shelter for the past 30 years; she began her career with PCAPS in 1980 as a clerk before becoming a Kennel Helper in 1981, Animal Control Officer in 1982, Kennel Officer in 1983, and finally Animal Shelter Director in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Lauren Malmberg is currently on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation, the County Animal Controls of Illinois, the Peoria Humane Society, and the National Disaster Animal Response Team; she has further served her community by offering her leadership and expertise as a member of the National Animal Control Association, the American Humane Association, and the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators; and

WHEREAS, Lauren Malmberg's commitment to the humane treatment of animals has been recognized by her Partners in Peace Award, her Ducky Award, and her Judy Lasco Volunteer of the Year Award from the Center for Prevention of Abuse; she gained further recognition from InterBusiness Issues as one of "40 Leaders Under Forty"; and

WHEREAS, In executing the duties of the Animal Shelter Director for PCAPS over the past 3 decades, Lauren Malmberg has committed incalculable time and energy into the interpretation and enforcement of animal control codes, administration of a multi-million dollar division budget, and negotiation with local veterinary and municipal agencies; she further committed to the duties of her station by assisting in animal rescue following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and for mass animal impoundment in Madison, Wisconsin in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Under the direction of Lauren Malmberg, PCAPS established a program to sterilize adopted animals prior to release, increased rabies licenses from 28,000 to 39,000 animals, coordinated design and provided oversight for the construction of a 7,200 square-foot animal shelter and 1,800 square-foot education center, published articles on animal control and welfare issues in NACA News and the ASPCA's Animal Watch, actively encouraged local volunteer initiatives, and advocated adamantly for changes to State laws regarding the protection of animals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Lauren Malmberg and wish her the best of luck in her retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lauren Malmberg as an expression of our esteem.