093_HR0052

 
                                     LRB093 08295 HSS 08512 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, G. Brent Manning has held the post  of  Director
 3    of  the  Department  of Natural Resources and its predecessor
 4    agency  the  Department  of  Conservation   for   12   years,
 5    overseeing  an  agency  of 2,200 employees and a $750 million
 6    budget  and its move to a new Natural Resources  Headquarters
 7    in Springfield; and

 8        WHEREAS,  During his tenure, the State acquired more than
 9    85,000  additional  acres  of  open  space  for  public  use,
10    including two of  the  largest  parks  in  Illinois  history;
11    Director Manning worked with federal officials to convert the
12    Joliet  Army  Arsenal  and Savanna Army Depot to recreational
13    lands, and he spearheaded the purchase of recreational  lands
14    through the $200 million Illinois Open Land Trust Initiative;
15    and

16        WHEREAS,   Many  model  restoration  programs  have  been
17    undertaken during his tenure,  including  Conservation  2000,
18    Illinois   Rivers   2020,   and   the   Conservation  Reserve
19    Enhancement Program, which all greatly  benefit  the  natural
20    resources   and   numerous   habitat  types  of  the  rapidly
21    developing prairie state; and

22        WHEREAS, Initiatives such as  the  Illinois  Conservation
23    Foundation,   Conservation   Congress,   the  Habitat  Stamp,
24    Illinois Environmental and Sportsman's  license  plates,  the
25    Entice  education program, the Lake Michigan underwater reef,
26    and Fish Illinois have benefitted the  natural  resources  of
27    Illinois  and  expanded  recreational opportunities for young
28    and old alike; and

29        WHEREAS, Director Manning and the Department  of  Natural
30    Resources  received  many  accolades  for  their achievements
31    during the past 12 years, and the Director  was  selected  as
32    President  of  the  International  Association  of  Fish  and
 
                            -2-      LRB093 08295 HSS 08512 r
 1    Wildlife Agencies; therefore, be it

 2        RESOLVED,   BY   THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE
 3    NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  that
 4    we do hereby congratulate Mr. Manning on his State government
 5    service and proclaim Wednesday, February 26, 2003 as G. Brent
 6    Manning Day in Illinois; and be it further

 7        RESOLVED,  That  a  suitable  copy  of this resolution be
 8    presented to G. Brent Manning as a token of our  respect  and
 9    esteem and with our best wishes for his future endeavors.