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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, State Representative Monique D. Davis and the
3 members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to
4 congratulate Corene S. Washington, Principal of Rudyard
5 Kipling Fine Arts School, on her retirement; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Corene S. Washington is recognized as an achiever
7 and lifelong learner; she earned a Bachelors of Science Degree
8 from Tuskegee University, a Master of Arts Degree in Human
9 Services Counseling and a Master of Arts Degree in Education
10 Administration - Chicago State and Governor's State
11 Universities; she completed additional graduate studies in
12 math at the Illinois Institute of Technology; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Mrs. Washington has devoted 40 years to educating
14 students in Chicago Public Schools; her duties have included
15 classroom teacher, counselor/special education case manager,
16 program evaluator staff developer and principal; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Mrs. Washington's philosophy about the education
18 of children has been grounded in her firm and sincere belief
19 that all children can learn and are entitled to a superior
20 education that will allow them to experience the best possible
21 quality of life, and that children who are properly nurtured
22 and challenged can and will excel; she has been a strong

 

 

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1 advocate of the importance of positive self images and high
2 expectations for children; and
 
3     WHEREAS, Mrs. Washington has worked tirelessly with staff,
4 parents, and the community to create positive change at Kipling
5 School; she was influential in the creation of a partnership
6 with Trinity United Church of Christ to create a Reading
7 Tutorial for students needing intervention and a male mentoring
8 program for male students; under Mrs. Washington's direction,
9 in 1995 Kipling was among the first 100 CPS schools to secure
10 internet access and updated computer technology for every
11 classroom; she has been successful at writing proposals to
12 secure funds for implementing and sustaining a Fine Arts
13 Program at Kipling; during her time at Rudyard Kipling Fine
14 Arts School, academic achievement has improved to the extent
15 that 72% of the students now meet or exceed state standards;
16 and
 
17     WHEREAS, Mrs. Washington has active membership in numerous
18 organizations; she is a member of the Chicago Principal &
19 Administrators Association, the National Association of
20 Elementary School Principals, the Illinois Principals
21 Association, The Association for Supervision & Curriculum
22 Development, the Board of Directors-Beatrice Caffrey Youth
23 Services, and the Tuskegee University National Alumni
24 Association; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, During her professional career, Mrs. Washington
2 has been recognized with many awards, including Outstanding
3 Service to Beacon Neighborhood House, Oppenheimer Foundation
4 for Meritorious Service to Guidance and Counseling, The Ora
5 Higgins Youth Leadership Award, The Beulah A. G. Smith
6 Scholarship Foundation Award Connections "Black Pearl Woman of
7 Excellence Award", The Chicago Assistant Principal Association
8 Outstanding Leadership Award and The 21st Ward Woman of
9 Excellence Award; she was a finalist for The CPS Outstanding
10 Leadership Award and received the Tuskegee University Alumni
11 Merit Award for 2006; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Mrs. Washington is an active member of Park Manor
13 Christian Church where she has served as teacher in VBS, Youth
14 Counselor, Secretary to the general board, trustee, chair
15 person of the general board and the Christian Education
16 Leadership Training Committee. She currently serves as an
17 elder, facilitator of the Young at heart Bible Class and member
18 of two women's fellowship groups - The Friends and The Spires;
19 and
 
20     WHEREAS, Mrs. Washington is the proud mother of three sons,
21 Michael, Eric and Booker III; she has three grandchildren,
22 Akili, Ajani and Solomon Washington; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, On June 16th, 2007 a retirement party will be held
2 in Corene Washington's honor; therefore, be it
 
3     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
5 congratulate Corene S. Washington on her retirement and wish
6 her continued success and happiness in the future; and be it
7 further
 
8     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9 presented to Corene S. Washington as a symbol of our esteem and
10 respect.