HR1011

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives wish to recognize John and Beth Couter of 
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Decatur on the occasion of their retirement in 2004; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John William Couter
is the son of Dr. William and 
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Janet Couter; he graduated with a B.A. in History in 1971 from 
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the University of Notre Dame and continued his education with a 
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J.D. in 1974 from Indiana University School of Law; and 
 
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    WHEREAS, Upon graduation, he became Assistant Corporation 
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Counsel for the City of Decatur, he was appointed Acting 
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Corporation Counsel in May of 1987 before being appointed to 
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his current position of Corporation Counsel in  September 1987; 
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and
 
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    WHEREAS, Beth Brandon Couter
is the daughter of Russell and 
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Freda Brandon; she is the mother of 2 sons, Joshua and Chad 
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Oldweiler; she graduated from Millikin University with a B.A. 
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in History and a B.A. in Accounting; she worked as a senior tax 
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accountant at Peat, Marwick, Main from 1981 to 1984; in 1984, 
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she became City of Decatur Staff Accounting Supervisor until 
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1986; she has acted as the City Comptroller, Assistant Finance 
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Director, and Acting Finance Director before being appointed to 
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her position as Finance Director in December of 1989; she is 
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the first female to be a city department director; she is the 
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past president of the Illinois Governmental Finance Officers 
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Association and an instructor for Leadership Enhancement and 
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Development (LEAD); and

 
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    WHEREAS, John and Beth were married on September 3, 1989; 
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they are both involved with volunteer work for Special 
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Olympics, Kiwanis, and the Salvation Army; and
 
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    WHEREAS, John was the valedictorian of his kindergarten 
 


 






HR1011
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class; he is also known by his alias "Johnny Vegas"; he is an 
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accomplished saxophone player and will enjoy his time off 
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watching Seinfeld reruns and catching Hoosier and Notre Dame 
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games; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Beth will enjoy her time off supporting their 
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local library and eating Jimmy John's sandwiches; she will also 
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remain an avid fan of the Fighting Illini and the Cubs; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Their family and friends, Josh and Liz; Chad and 
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Keely; Mrs. Janet Couter; Nancy and Dan Dollison; Tom, Kathy, 
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Janet, and Michael Zito; Bob, Sherry, Will, John and David 
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Couter; Sally, Peter, and Brandon Solana wish them well on 
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their retirement; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Couters have served the city of Decatur for 
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many years and leave a legacy of community involvement and 
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civic concern that will long inspire the citizens of this 
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State; therefore, be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate John and Beth Couter on their retirement and 
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commend their commitment and dedication to the City of Decatur; 
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and we wish them good health and happiness in all of their 
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future endeavors; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to John and Beth Couter as a token of our respect.