HR1516 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1516 LRB095 22189 KXB 52786 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Phyllis Wilken on her 95th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Phyllis Wilken was born September 8, 1913 to Fredrick and Ida Schmitz Lauerman of Alexandria, Minnesota; on July 23, 1936 she married Eibe Switters Wilken; Phyllis Wilken received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics from the University of Wisconsin; she was a charter member of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Tau Chapter, National Honorary Home Economics Fraternity, and in 1933 was a charter member of Gamma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Sorority; and

WHEREAS, Her teaching career began in Neenah, Wisconsin and later continued in the Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Vocational Schools; after moving to Illinois she taught at Crescent Iroquois High School and then in the Kankakee School District at East Ridge Junior High School, East Ridge High School, and developed the Westview High School Home Economics Department; she organized and taught the first adult vocational education classes in foods and clothing; she supervised student teachers and in her last five years served as the Work Study Coordinator for Foods and Health Services; while as advisor for the Future Homemakers of America, both in Crescent City and Kankakee, her clubs received first place in the State for three years and received numerous club awards; she was honored at FHA's national convention in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where she also provided one of her award winning students as the key-note speaker; after over 21 years of service she retired in 1976; and

WHEREAS, The family's early years included travels and brief moves to California, Colorado and Arizona; before moving to Kankakee in 1956 she lived 17 years in Iroquois County on farms at Woodworth and Crescent City; she served on boards of the Milford Women's Club, Iroquois County Home Extension, and was past president of the Ash Grove Unit and a 4-H leader; she taught Sunday school for 13 years at the Watseka United Methodist Church; she taught for 2 1/2 years at Crescent City High School; she is remembered for her outstanding programs, festivals, and proms; and she served as a judge for many events in her lifetime, both in Iroquois and Kankakee counties; and

WHEREAS, She was an active member of the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs for 40 years; she served on the General Federation of Woman's Club of Kankakee Board and the District 8 Woman's Club Board for over 20 years; she promoted State and local projects and held numerous chairmanships; as Public Affairs Chairman she conducted a countywide national anti-shoplifting survey and organized four countywide Crime Reduction Forums; she chaired the first area Neighborhood Watch programs, introducing McGruff the Crime Dog; she developed an Anti-Crime Reduction Coalition (later known as Crime Stoppers) enlisting help from the Exchange Club; she gave numerous programs and conducted contests in area schools on crime prevention; the Kankakee Women's Club received a national award presented by Jim Edgar, then Attorney General, given at the Cedar Rapids Iowa National Women's Club convention because of her work; she was also instrumental in developing the first Domestic Violence Shelter (now Harbor House) and gaining support for this cause; and

WHEREAS, Phyllis has had numerous recognition extended to her: the Congressional Medal of Merit Award in 1982 by Congressman George O'Brien (17th District) for outstanding community service; nominated for the Kankakee Volunteer of the Year award; and named Volunteer of the Year in the Arts Division by the Junior League Recognition Program in 1990; she received the Illinois Law Enforcement Officer's Merit Award for Crime Reduction programs; as a result of this recognition the Illinois Law Enforcement convention was held for the first time in Kankakee; in addition, she was honored by the Morris Chamber of Commerce and Grundy County Women's Club for contributions made in crime reduction; and

WHEREAS, She was responsible for the development of the Very Special Arts Festivals for persons with disabilities; she enlisted in cooperation with the Kankakee park District and over 20 organizations provided assistance; she organized three festivals and later organized the Kankakee County Very Special Arts Alliance involving various community groups; a national recognition award was received by the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Kankakee for her efforts; and

WHEREAS, She is credited and honored by Olivet Nazarene University for bringing the only 1986 bicentennial celebration to Kankakee County; the Historic American Legacy Art exhibit by artist Kay Smith was held on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University; this exhibit was attended by over 8,000 individuals; later, she worked to get the State of Illinois to commission a collection of Illinois historic paintings by Kay Smith; Governor Jim Thompson held a State reception to honor both the artist and Phyllis Wilken; and

WHEREAS, Her many involvements include charter membership and past president of the Kankakee County Home Economics Association; past president of the Tuesday Book Review; past president of the Kankakee Retired Teachers Association; past chairperson of the Asbury Methodist Church Downy Circle, and past president of the Sigma Kappa Sorority Mother's Club, University of Illinois; Board Affiliations have included the American Association of University Women, Kankakee District 111 Vocational Advisory Board, Very Special Arts Alliance, Kankakee Farm Bureau Women's Committee, and Charter member of the Kankakee Valley Garden Club, Community Arts Council, Church Women United, Asbury United Methodist Church Board, and Asbury United Methodist Women Board; and

WHEREAS, Other memberships include the Domestic Violence Coalition, Kankakee Historical Society, OPTIONS, Farm Bureau, Farmland Trust Association, and Illinois Retired teachers Association; and

WHEREAS, In 1991 she received a recognition award from Secretary of State George Ryan for her community contributions; in 1993 Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan presented her with a resolution for community service and contributions to the State of Illinois for 20 years of service; a tree was planted in the civic center park recognizing her years of community service to the Women's Club of Kankakee; and

WHEREAS, Other recognition include awards from the Domestic Violence Coalition, and honored guest at two governor's receptions for work in the arts; in 1999 she was responsible for the planting of a red maple tree and program on the Courthouse lawn celebrating the 100th year of the Kankakee Women's Club; and

WHEREAS, She has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, China, Korea, Indonesia, and the Far East; she was one of the first five tour groups to visit remote Sebu, Borneo; and she has hosted many persons from Germany, Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam in her home; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate this remarkable woman, Phyllis Wilken, on the occasion of her 95th birthday and wish her the best on this great day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Phyllis Wilken as a symbolic part of this celebration.