HR1342 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1342 LRB097 23629 MST 72693 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate and thank State Representative Joseph M. Lyons for his many years of service on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois and City of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons began his service to the people of his district in 1996; he served as a determined and vigorous legislator for the 19th District as a member of the Aging, Financial Institutions, Executive, Telecommunications, Veterans' Affairs, and Tollway Oversight committees; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons has been a leading advocate for a number of important issues, including senior health, education, credit unions, neighborhood safety, and providing vital services to those who need them most; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Representative Lyons has championed the creation of pharmaceutical assistance programs, including the Illinois Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Program and the Senior Citizen Prescription Drug Discount Program, to help make prescription medications more affordable to Illinois seniors and disabled persons; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons has continuously fought for legislation to improve education; he has worked to increase school funding throughout the State by supporting the "Fund Education First Act"; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons has coached Chicago Park District youth basketball and baseball programs at Sauganash, Peterson, Portage, and Dunham Parks; an activist in his home parish of Our Lady of Victory, Representative Lyons is past president of the Holy Name Society, a member of the Parish Stewardship Committee, and an active school parent; he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Jefferson Park Lions, a Misericordia volunteer, and serves on the Executive Board and Benefit Committee of St. Peter's Church in the Loop; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons has received numerous legislator of the year awards from organizations including the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Illinois Long Term Care Association, and the Combined Charities Association of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons was among the top precinct captains in the 45th Ward for 30 years, working hand-in-hand with former 45th ward alderman, ward committeeman, and close personal friend, Pat Levar; and

WHEREAS, Each year Representative Lyons proudly holds a popular senior driving seminar in his district to help educate seniors on changes in the rules of the road before they prepared for their driving exams; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons is a revered and respected connoisseur of corned beef among his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons has provided strong leadership, sage wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to his duties as chairman of the White Sox caucus; he has dutifully led this caucus with a calm resolve through losing streaks, playoff runs, and a 2005 World Series title; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons has gracefully helped lead the day-to-day operations of the House while in the Speaker's chair; tough but fair, Representative Lyons has helped ensure this proud institution remained focused on the work of the people; and

WHEREAS, Strongly committed to his family and Catholic faith, Representative Lyons is a third-generation resident of the northwest side, residing in Jefferson Park with his wife, Kieran, and their two children, Ellie and Joey; and

WHEREAS, Representative Lyons will be missed by his colleagues, who hold him in the highest regard for his honesty, fairness, commitment, selflessness, and humor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and thank Illinois State Representative Joseph M. Lyons for his friendship and many years of service to the state; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Representative Joseph M. Lyons as a token of our respect and esteem and with our best wishes for his future success.