HR0264 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0264 LRB102 18316 MST 26059 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of The Illinois House of Representatives would like to congratulate Richard Kopczick on the occasion of his retirement from the office of Mayor of the City of Morris; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick has served as Morris' mayor for over 21 years after first being elected in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick was born and raised in Morris and attended Morris schools, graduating from Morris Community High School; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick was the meat department manager at D&S Foods; he served as the 4th Ward Alderman from 1995 to 2001, sitting on the Finance Committee and the Parks and Annexation Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick spearheaded the expansion of the original sewage treatment plant and implemented the city's first water and sewer impact fee policy; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick helped to complete the greatest amount of annexation in mayoral history in Morris, consisting of several thousand acres, which were annexed into the corporate city limits for future development, including the Brisbin Road interchange and the east side sewage treatment plant; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick was instrumental in providing affordable housing lots to Habitat for Humanity, cleaning up over 400,000 square feet of demolished buildings for future residential development, replacing the Morris swimming pool with a new, state-of-the-art facility, and spearheading several commercial and industrial developments for companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Prologis, and several other retailers; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Mayor Kopczick assisted in the fundraising and construction of a historical replica of the I&M Canal Boat and Port Plaza Park, the construction of a September 11 memorial, and the Lower Goold Park band shell; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick prides himself on preserving the Morris historical downtown retail district, supporting community events such as Cruise Nights, and allowing for on-street dining in an effort to allow for easier downtown dining; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kopczick enjoys spending his free time with his wife of 40 years, Jill, his three children, and two grandchildren, which he will continue to do in his retirement; and

WHEREAS, In his retirement, Mayor Kopczick will continue being active in the community by participating in various organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Sons of the American Legion, and the VFW Men's Auxiliary; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Richard Kopczick on his retirement from serving as mayor of the City of Morris and commend him for his devoted service to his community; and be it further

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