HR1263 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1263 LRB093 23628 CSA 53634 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Joseph E. Shacter has announced that he is retiring as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, located in Chicago's Lincoln Park community; and

WHEREAS, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum opened in October 1999 and carries on the Academy's mission of exploring and nurturing the environment; the Museum serves as the cornerstone for Academy research projects and provides nationally recognized educational outreach programming; and

WHEREAS, Joe Shacter was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on November 1, 2000; under his dynamic leadership, the Museum has raised $4.1 million to upgrade or replace five of six permanent galleries and beautify the Museum's exterior with various types of native landscaping, including rooftop gardens; assembled a top-notch staff that brings creativity and a strong commitment to the Museum's mission to inspire people to learn and care for nature; maintained a balanced budget year after year; increased attendance 56% compared to the year he arrived; and committed $1 million per year in educational funding to reach more children in outreach programs than any other Museums in the Park institution, increasing philanthropic revenue growth more than 40%; and

WHEREAS, During Joe Shacter's tenure, the Museum has also redefined its mission statement, initiated a comprehensive strategic planning process to renew its focus, aligned educational programs to the organizational mission, developed a comprehensive, multi-year plan for education programs - Teaching Green - to coincide with the institutional strategic plan, developed successful working partnerships with numerous city departments, and built strong relationships with community groups and governmental entities and representatives at the local, State, and federal levels; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Joseph E. Shacter upon the occasion of his retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and we thank him for his exemplary service in leading the Museum as it educates the citizens of this State and promotes awareness of nature and the environment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Joseph E. Shacter as expression of our respect and esteem.