HR0500 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0500 LRB100 13176 MST 27573 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Douglas M. Grounds on the occasion of his retirement on June 30, 2017 after 36 years of dedicated service as an administrative clerk for the Democratic leadership of the Illinois House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Grounds has faithfully served important roles behind the scenes to keep all legislators and staff well informed about pending legislation, including making all committee packets for House Democratic members; and

WHEREAS, Since March 1, 1981, Douglas Grounds has served under the leadership of Speakers William A. Redmond and Michael J. Madigan and House Democratic Leader Clyde L. Choate; the guidance of Chiefs of Staff Gary LaPaille and Tim Mapes; and the direction of Research and Appropriations Staff Directors Ralph Nickell, Bill Holland, and Veronica Lynch, and Issues Staff Directors Bill Filan, Jennifer Klendt, Eileen Mitchell, Michael Thompson, Will Cousineau, and Craig Willert; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Grounds is affectionately known as "Fast Doug" and "Doug-e-fresh"; he loves his customized, and award winning Ford Mustang (though not a manual transmission), and enjoys disc golf and beating pro athletes like EJ Hall; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Grounds is a dedicated and hard worker who only knows one speed - fast; he is always in the office early and would often start and finish labeling mailings before anyone else arrived; he would make the rounds to the different offices around the complex delivering or picking up what was needed, making many friends at each stop; he was always trying hard to reach the coveted goal of achieving the title: Administrative Clerk 5; he was an indispensable part of the workroom and mail programs; he is irreplaceable, and while we may get more workers, there is only one "Fast Doug"; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Grounds was responsible for keeping general workroom operations running smoothly; he did this by supporting staff in whatever way was needed; he prepared outgoing mail, loaded and unloaded mail and supplies from trucks and delivery vans, maintained office equipment and arranged for repairs if needed, and maintained inventory of office supplies and workroom cleanliness; he handled the copying, scanning, faxing, and shredding of documents and the sorting and delivering of incoming mail and interoffice correspondence; and he was trusted to drive the Speaker, the Speaker's family, and others when needed; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Grounds not only showed his dedication to the State by his faithful work at the Illinois Capitol, but also his dedication to his loves, his long-time girlfriend, Patty, and his daughters, Ashley Wofford, born on July 12, 1986, and Kaley Grounds, born August 13, 1993; and

WHEREAS, Doug Ground's hard work, integrity, and dedication to both the government and people of the State of Illinois will be fondly remembered by the members of this august body; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Douglas M. Grounds on his retirement, thank him for his many years of dedicated service to the Illinois General Assembly and the people of the State of Illinois, and wish him many happy and healthy retirement years; and be it further

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