HR1205 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1205 LRB095 20801 GRL 49514 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Deanna Witzel on the occasion of being named as the Danville 2008 AMBUCS First Citizen; and

WHEREAS, The AMBUCS national service club is dedicated to the creation of opportunities for independence for people with disabilities, especially children; every year, the Danville chapter of AMBUCS gives its First Citizen award to a local person who has contributed significantly to their community, either personally or professionally; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Witzel and her husband, Don Witzel, are co-owners of two McDonald's franchises in the City of Danville, one franchise in the City of Hoopeston, one franchise in the Village of Oakwood, and one franchise in the City of Georgetown; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Witzel was selected from 10 candidates to be the 2008 AMBUCS First Citizen; she and her husband have donated much of their time and effort to helping children in need; together, through the Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, they have helped return tens of thousands of dollars to projects in their community, including more than $50,000 for AMBUCS playgrounds at Winter and Lincoln Parks and a new "Sprayground" at Garfield Park in Danville, nearly $50,000 for in-school, anti-drug programs run by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, more than $13,000 for youth-sized exercise equipment at the Danville Family YMCA, and more than $10,000 for professional "child-friendly" murals in the Danville hospital's emergency room and pediatrics unit; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Witzel has also helped organize numerous community events, such as McPrincipal's Night and McPack the Place, which have raised money for Danville, Hoopeston, Oakwood, and Georgetown-Ridge Farm schools; she has organized restaurant-based campaigns that have benefited youth organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, local cancer efforts, and independent fundraising efforts for children in need; as president of the Danville High School's choral music boosters, she has helped raise $25,000 for the show choir and for the jazz band's trip to New York City, as well as serving in numerous other capacities with the group; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Witzel and her husband have been major sponsors for events such as the Festival of Trees and Festival of Tees, which have raised money for various hospital foundation programs; they personally donated $25,000 to help kick-start a community-based fundraiser for amenities at Danville High School's new track; they have also given away free meal coupons as rewards for students, orange drinks to non-profit organizations, and cups of coffee to kids at the Festival of Trees' Polar Express event; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Witzel and her husband have two children, Rob, an Indiana University freshman, and Katie, a Danville High School senior; and

WHEREAS, Deanna Witzel will receive the AMBUCS First Citizen award at a banquet in her honor on April 30, 2008 at the Days Inn in Danville; and

WHEREAS, Deanna and Don Witzel's tireless volunteerism and energetic approach to helping children in need serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Deanna Witzel on the occasion of being named as the Danville 2008 AMBUCS First Citizen and wish her continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Deanna Witzel as a symbol of our esteem and respect.