HR0705 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0705 LRB097 17330 GRL 62531 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Anthony A. Kopera on the occasion of his retirement as Chief Executive of the Community Counseling Centers of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony Kopera earned his Ph.D. in psychology from Loyola University in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony Kopera has served as Chief Executive of the Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) since 1980; prior to his tenure at C4, he served as an associate professor of psychology at Northeastern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony Kopera's longtime leadership in community-based behavioral health and substance abuse services has been instrumental in the creation of a system which is now considered a model for progressive public policy throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Kopera's tireless leadership of countless civic and local business organizations has helped to build a sense of community throughout the North Side of Chicago and enabled local individuals and neighborhoods to become revitalized and thrive; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony Kopera has served on a variety of task forces since 1980; he has worked on special focus groups in the areas of community mental health, children's services, family services for the Office of the Governor, and policy and advocacy groups; his current board memberships include Mental Health Corporations of America, where he has been a member since 1994 and served as Board Chair from 2009 to 2010; he has served as Vice Chairperson of Uptown United since 2006 and as Chairperson of Community Partners since 2006; he has served as Chairperson of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association's (CBHA) Public Policy Committee since 1997; during the 1980s, he served as a board member and board president with the Illinois Association of Community Mental Health Agencies (now CBHA); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony Kopera was the 1990 recipient of the Ellen T. Quinn Memorial Award for leadership in the quality and provision of mental health services in Illinois; he was also awarded the W. Clement Stone Business Award by the Uptown Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Uptown community; and

WHEREAS, On December 5, 2011, Dr. Anthony Kopera received the CBHA 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award for his "meritorious service and demonstrated commitment to consumers, families, the field, and the behavioral healthcare community in Illinois, Chicago, and across the country, as well as his years of nationally recognized leadership" at C4; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony Kopera 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-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Anthony A. Kopera on the occasion of his retirement, thank him for his tireless service and advocacy, and wish him and his wife, Elaine, the happiest of times enjoying his retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Anthony Kopera as a symbol of our esteem and respect.