HR0150 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0150 LRB100 11180 KLG 21480 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are proud to recognize those citizens who have performed dedicated service to their State and local communities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank A. Pasquale has served as Mayor of the Village of Bellwood since his first election in 2001; he was reelected in 2005, 2009, and 2013; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale is a four-decade resident of the Village of Bellwood; prior to serving as mayor, he served as a Village Trustee for the growing western suburb, and as a commissioner of the Memorial Park District; he also served as chairman of the former Addison Creek Restoration Commission, a State commission charged with flooding and water management issues for a seven-community area; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois, and continued his education at Chicago State University where he earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling; he went on to earn a doctorate in behavioral science from Nova University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale began his teaching career at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, there he served as a teacher and director of guidance and counseling; he later became a vocational counselor at Wright College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, before being named a Dean's Scholar and Honors Business Coordinator and Counselor Chairman of the Faculty Honors Committee; after four decades of service and devotion to education, he was urged to share his time and talents in elective public service; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale has made open, honest, and transparent government, intergovernmental cooperation, and public/private partnerships the hallmark of his administration; he has had a strategic focus on economic development and capital improvement projects that are driving new residential and retail development; most recently, his leadership lead to the approval of a modern new Metra train station in Bellwood that will be the catalyst for the creation of a new downtown in the Village; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale has had numerous and far-reaching accomplishments during his tenure which have been well documented by citizens, other municipalities, and the greater metropolitan area; while running for office in 2001, he pledged to pave every alley in the Village, and to facilitate new, brighter lighting; he kept his promise and completed the task on time and within budget; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale has addressed long-neglected street projects, solving one of the single biggest issues for Village residents; public safety and security have been priorities for the mayor who closely collaborated with and empowered Village police and fire departments to implement initiatives to ensure the highest degree of public safety possible; state-of-the-art wireless surveillance equipment was installed to assist the police, fire, and public works departments to more efficiently respond to and preempt a wide range of public safety issues; citizens were called to action to help make the community a safer place to live, work, and play through their active participation in regular Neighborhood Watch/Community Policing meetings; as a result of these efforts, crime in the Village has dropped for three consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, Due to his long service as an educator, Dr. Pasquale was prompted to embark on program initiatives that provide Bellwood students with the opportunity to get the best education possible while recognizing the vital role of computer technology; his commitment to closing the so-called, "digital divide", and his belief that literacy in this generation includes the ability to operate a computer and access to the latest technology and the Internet, the Village began an innovative program which offers a $200 rebate to every Bellwood household that purchases a new computer and computer accessories; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale is active and visible in a host of important regional organizations, agencies, and initiatives; he serves as co-chair of the CREATE Task Force of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus; chairman of the West Cook Railroad Relocation and Redevelopment Authority; commissioner emeritus of Memorial Park District; and as a member of the boards of the West Central Municipal Conference, Illinois Municipal League, and West Cook Boys & Girls Club; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale has been honored for his service and commitment to his community; he has received the Italian Civic Pride Award from the Italian American Executives of Transportation; the Leonardo da Vinci Award in Government from the Order Sons of Italy in America; the Municipal Leader of the Year Award presented by the Illinois State Crime Commission; the President's Reception Award from the Triton College Foundation; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian American Political Coalition; and many other honors; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pasquale and his wife of 45 years, Vivian, raised their son, Frank (Marlene) and daughter, Maria (Jason) in Bellwood; and are now the proud grandparents of Ann, Anthony, Olivia, and Luke; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize and honor the service of Dr. Frank A. Pasquale to the people of the Village of Bellwood, and we thank him for his dedication to education, service to his community and the State, and for the active role he has taken in making his community a safe and happy place to live, work, go to school, and raise a family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we congratulate Dr. Pasquale on the occasion of his retirement, and wish him health and happiness in his retirement years; and be it further

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