HR1325 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1325 LRB100 24066 MST 43170 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate their colleague, State Rep. Brian W. Stewart, on the occasion of his retirement as State Representative of the 89th District, after a distinguished career of public service in the Illinois House, which will now continue in the Illinois State Senate; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Stewart is a fifth generation native of northwest Illinois; in his youth, he spent most of his formative years living in public housing; his humble upbringing served as the primary motivation for him to make something of himself; and

WHEREAS, After attending Freeport High School, Rep. Stewart joined the U.S. Army in 1975, where he served as a military policeman and investigator until his honorable discharge in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Upon completion of his service, Rep. Stewart returned to Freeport to serve as a Stephenson County Sheriff's Deputy; he served in several capacities and eventually attained the rank of sergeant; he joined a major case squad, serving the nine northwestern most counties in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Stewart began his first small business at his kitchen table in 1987; with a knack for business, he eventually retired from law enforcement and today successfully manages Stewart & Associates, Inc., which employs over 500 people and manages over 20 businesses, the majority of which are centered in his hometown of Freeport; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Stewart served as a alderman for the City of Freeport and as a trustee for Freeport Township; he has also served as chairman and board member of the Northwest Illinois Criminal Justice Commission, the Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Northwest Illinois Development Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Stewart was sworn into office as State Representative of the 89th District in October of 2013 to replace outgoing Rep. Jim Sacia; as State Representative, he has focused on regulatory, agricultural, and law enforcement issues to try to create good paying agricultural, manufacturing, and middle-class jobs; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Stewart served honorably as Minority Spokesperson of the House-Judiciary Criminal Law Committee and Restorative Justice Committee and served as well on the Agriculture & Conservation, Public Safety Appropriations, Executive, Labor and Commerce, Revenue & Finance, and Veteran's Affairs Committees; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Stewart's service to his community went beyond elected office; he was the former chairman of the United Way of Northwest Illinois and a member of the Freeport Rotary Club, AMVETS Post 32, the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, the Stephenson County Emergency Telephone System (911), and the FHN Foundation; he was the charter president of Stephenson County Employees-UAW Local 2261; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Stewart has shown great knowledge, effectiveness, and collegiality throughout his career in the Illinois House of Representatives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor and congratulate State Rep. Brian W. Stewart for his work in the Illinois House of Representatives and wish him all the best in his service in the Illinois State Senate; and be it further

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