HR1001 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1001 LRB093 21729 HSS 51622 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to honor Patrick Durkin for his many accomplishments throughout his life, a life dedicated to the service of others; and

WHEREAS, Patrick James Durkin was born on November 14, 1939; he has been married to Kathleen Durkin for over 40 years and is the father of 8 children; he holds a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University; he also holds an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts from Wilson Junior College and a second Associate of Arts in fire science from Daley Junior College; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Durkin valiantly served his country in the U.S. Army as a squad leader and heavy equipment driver; he received an honorable discharge; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Durkin has received countless honors and awards for his dedicated work as a fireman in the Chicago area and in security at Northeastern Illinois University; he received the City of Chicago Fire Department Special Honorable Award in 1971 for rescuing a child from a burning building; in 1972, he received the Underwriters Award for Bravery, the Chicago Jaycees Award for Personal Heroism, the Ward La France Fire Industry Award of Honor for Heroism, and a Certificate of Appreciation for Personal Courage for rescuing a baby from a burning building; he was the recipient of Mayor Daley's Certificate of Merit for Courageous Action Beyond the Normal Call of Duty in 1972; he received the Gaelic Fire Brigade Award for Dedication to the Chicago Fire Department in 1979, and in 1980, he was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the American Society for Industrial Security; he was the recipient of a Northeastern Illinois University Official Department Commendation for Exceptional Police Work in 1981, when he arrested 3 convicts during an act of burglary; he also received a recognition award from Northeastern Illinois University in 1982 for calming an enraged psychotic man during a police call, and he also received a Northeastern Illinois University Letter of Accommodation in 1986 for arresting an escaped convict on a battery and hate crime; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Durkin chose to change his career and focus his efforts on the education of children as a principal and teacher; in his role as teacher and principal, he realized that each child has promise and dedicated himself to ensuring that the students under his care received the best possible education; Mr. Durkin's leadership and skills as an educator are present in his stewardship of Goudy School in the Uptown community in Chicago; once called "the worst school in the worst school district in the nation", Mr. Durkin proved that motivated students, inspired parents, dedicated teachers, and community support can change the direction of a school and provide a quality education for its students; Mr. Durkin's attention to diversity, public safety, teacher development, and parent involvement and quality student programs have made Goudy School a model public school; for his accomplishments as principal of Goudy, in 1997, he was named Principal of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Durkin has also received countless honors and awards for his work in education and his community service; he received the Henderson School Teacher Recognition Award in 1984, a Certificate of Award from Our Lady of Peace School for Community Service in 1988-1989 and 1991-1992 for coaching various teams and being involved with Cub Scouts, the Edgewater Community Council-Education Award "Salute Edgewater" in 1994, and the First Annual Quality of Life Award for Education in the 48th Ward in 1992; he was a finalist for the Whitman Award in 1991, and he received a Certificate of Exemplary Performance for the 1995-1996 school year from the Chicago Public Schools and the Bridging the GAP Illinois Goal Assessment Program Award in 1995; in 1994, he was a recipient of the Department of Safety and Security's School Safety Award, and in 1993, he received an Academic Achievement Award from the Chicago Public Schools; he was the recipient of the First Annual Community School Partnership Award in 1991 given by the Organization of the Northeast, and on Christmas Day of 2001, he was WGN's Unsung Hero; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Durkin is the proud father of Maripat Donahue (Bill Donahue), Kathleen Wiersema (Richard Wiersema), Raleen Quick (Mark Quick), Eileen Stobart (Reese Stobart), Maureen Durkin-Moran (Terrance Moran), Patrick Durkin (Emily Durkin), Michael Durkin, and John Durkin; he is the proud grandfather of Richard Wiersema, Rodney Wiersema, Reid Wiersema, Kathleen Wiersema, Reghan Quick, Karrighan Quick, Delaney Quick, and Erin Durkin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Patrick Durkin for his many accomplishments as a father, husband, principal, teacher, fireman, and friend to many throughout his life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Patrick Durkin as an expression of our respect and esteem.