HR1340

LRB095 21542 KXB 51346 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 Mena Boulanger, 
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Director of Government Affairs for Brookfield Zoo, as she 
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retires at the end of May, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mena Boulanger has served for nearly 30 years at 
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two State of Illinois premier zoological parks: Lincoln Park 
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Zoo in Chicago from 1979 to 1990 and Brookfield Zoo from 1990 
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to 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo welcome close 
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to five million guests each year, including hundreds of 
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thousands of school children; they both provide rich 
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experiences with the natural world and its animal ambassadors 
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that help promote conservation appreciation, awareness, and 
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action, as well as conservation research; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mena served as the chief development officer at 
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both zoos, where she oversaw the raising of millions of dollars 
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of private funds for their daily operation, as well as meeting 
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the long term capital development and maintenance needs of both 
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zoos;

Mena has served as both director of development and 
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director of government affairs for the Chicago Zoological 
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Society during her eighteen years of service; and

 
 


 






HR1340
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LRB095 21542 KXB 51346 r




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    WHEREAS, In her role as Director of Government Affairs for 
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the Brookfield Zoo, her diligent work on legislation brought 
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significant bonding authority to the Cook County Forest 
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Preserve District for its holdings, as well as Brookfield Zoo 
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and the Chicago Botanic Garden;

she has developed personal 
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relationships with public officials on a local, county, state, 
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and federal level and is known to many as the "Zoo Lady" for 
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her tours and her tireless efforts to promote the Zoo and its 
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mission; and

 
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    WHEREAS, She is retiring to spend more time with her 
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husband David and their children and grandchildren; she will 
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continue to be involved in the community and work on her 
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award-winning garden; 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 Mena Boulanger on her retirement and wish her the 
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best 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 Mena Boulanger as a symbol of our respect.