HR0147

LRB095 11400 KXB 32197 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate Margaret 
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Blackshere, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, on her 
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retirement in February of 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Margaret Blackshere began her career as a teacher 
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in Madison; she became involved in the labor movement when the 
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faculty voted to join the Illinois Federation of Teachers; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Margaret Blackshere served as president of the 
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Local and eventually became the statewide vice president of the 
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Illinois Federation of Teachers; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1993 she was elected secretary-treasurer of the 
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AFL-CIO and served in that capacity until her election as 
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president in 2000; she was the first woman to be elected 
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president of the AFL-CIO; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Margaret Blackshere has worked toward raising the 
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minimum wage, protecting day laborers, reforming the workers 
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compensation system, and making sure that women in Illinois 
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receive equal pay for equal work; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Margaret Blackshere will be missed by her peers, 
 


 






HR0147
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LRB095 11400 KXB 32197 r




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but will continue to speak on behalf of workers across the 
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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-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate Margaret Blackshere on her retirement as 
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President of the Illinois AFL-CIO; and we wish her good luck 
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and good health in her 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 Margaret Blackshere as a symbol of our esteem.