HR1648 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1648 LRB095 23149 GRL 53788 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Larry Fischer of Quincy on the occasion of his retirement as Vice President for Instruction at John Wood Community College on December 31, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Larry Fischer earned his master's degree in education from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign and his bachelor's degree in agriculture education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale; and

WHEREAS, Larry Fischer began his long and distinguished career with John Wood Community College as an instructor of an evening agriculture marketing class in the fall of 1975, when JWCC first opened its doors to students; in August of 1976, he was appointed to the full-time position of Director of Agricultural Programs and was charged with creating an agriculture department for the college; he served in that capacity for 26 years before becoming Vice President for Instruction in 2002, where he remained until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, John Wood Community College's agriculture program grew under Larry Fischer's leadership, moving to a separate site near Perry; the program also developed a unique cooperative agreement with the University of Illinois and was expanded so that it currently offers degrees and certificates in agricultural business, agriculture transfer, animal science, and horticulture; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to Larry Fischer's hard work, John Wood Community College's agriculture students have won numerous awards at State and national competitions and have graduated and moved into a variety of positions as community leaders and successful members of the agribusiness community; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining John Wood Community College, Larry Fischer taught agriculture and biology at East Pike High School in Milton for six years and taught algebra in the Hannibal, Missouri public schools for a year; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Larry Fischer was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus award from SIUC's College of Agricultural Sciences in recognition of his exemplary service and leadership to Illinois agriculture and for his many contributions to the College of Agricultural Sciences; in 2007, he was the recipient of the Award of Merit from the UIUC's College of ACES (Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences) Alumni Association, an award presented to ACES College graduates who have made significant contributions to their chosen professions, the university, and their communities; the University of Illinois Alumni Association presented Mr. Fischer with the Loyalty Award in 1998 and the Lou Liay Alumni Spirit Award in 2001; in 1982, he was identified as the Outstanding Teacher of Agriculture in Illinois by the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association; and

WHEREAS, Larry Fischer has been an active volunteer and leader in a variety of groups on the local and State level; he has served as president of numerous organizations, including the Illinois 4-H Foundation, the Illinois Association of Community College Agriculture Instructors, the UI College of Agriculture and College of ACES Alumni associations, and SIUC's College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Association; he has also served on the board of directors of Chaddock School and on the board of trustees for his church and has served as the speaker at numerous local, State, and national meetings and conferences; and

WHEREAS, Larry Fischer and his wife, Tammy Fischer, have three adult sons and five grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Larry Fischer on the occasion of his retirement and wish him many happy and healthy retirement years; and be it further

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