HR0590 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0590 LRB101 15022 MST 64066 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Rep. Michael McAuliffe on the completion of his 23 years in the Illinois General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Rep. McAuliffe has been a resident of Chicago for more than 55 years, since his birth in the City of Big Shoulders on December 7, 1963; on the day he was born, head coach George Halas was leading the Chicago Bears, Mayor Richard J. Daley was leading Chicago's City Hall, and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was finishing its first year as the world's busiest airport; and

WHEREAS, As Rep. McAuliffe enjoyed his boyhood, his father, Roger McAuliffe, was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1972 on the old "bullet vote" ballot, a tribute by the McAuliffes' neighbors to Roger's longtime political work organizing and serving as a committeeman in Chicago's 38th Ward; as O'Hare Airport grew as an economic engine, new challenges faced Chicago's far northwest side as a community of neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Rep. McAuliffe worked with his father's re-election campaigns through the 1970s and 1980s, until his father's tragic death in Wisconsin in July of 1996; the late lawmaker's constituents named Michael to fill the vacancy, and he won election to the seat in his own right in November of that year; and

WHEREAS, From 1996 through 2018, Rep. McAuliffe was continuously re-elected by his neighbors and constituents, rising to become one of the deans of the Illinois House; and

WHEREAS, Rep. McAuliffe's longevity in office was marked by his attention to constituent service, a commitment that grew with the diversity of his district; he was particularly sensitive to issues relating to O'Hare and air quality and noise pollution, which threaten the quality of life of the neighborhood in which he lives and was born; and

WHEREAS, Rep. McAuliffe was, and is, a steadfast friend of law enforcement and the men and women who keep our communities safe; he was, and is, a tower of civilian auxiliary achievement in the support of our Illinois police officers; and

WHEREAS, During his years in public service, Rep. McAuliffe turned more and more of his attention to issues of health care; he became the lead advocate in the Illinois General Assembly for awareness of issues surrounding Hepatitis C, a scourge afflicting too many undiagnosed Americans; he was also at the forefront of issues involving the availability of testing and treatment for breast cancer, disease screening for newborns, and health/life care for retired U.S. veterans and their families; and

WHEREAS, Rep. McAuliffe was considered a purist in matters relating to the business of the chamber and was considered a strict adherent of the Constitution and our cherished system of checks and balances; and

WHEREAS, As a friend to all of his colleagues, Rep. McAuliffe became one of the leaders of the House Republican Caucus within the Illinois General Assembly and was appointed to serve as assistant minority leader in the 100th and 101st General Assemblies; he continued to serve as a caucus leader until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Michael McAuliffe supported his family in Illinois politics, starting with his mother, Judy McAuliffe, and his father, Representative Roger McAuliffe; then, as a Representative in his own right, he was supported in turn by his betrothed, the woman who would become Kim Morreale McAuliffe, and their two children, Conor and Bianca; now it is time for him to return the support they have given him over the years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rep. Michael McAuliffe on the completion of his 23 years in the Illinois General Assembly, and we wish him a long and happy life with new life challenges and the company of his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we remember and thank Rep. McAuliffe for being a friend and advocate for the City of Chicago; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rep. McAuliffe and his wife Kim Morreale McAuliffe as a symbol of our respect and esteem.