HR1350 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1350 LRB097 23721 MST 72806 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate and thank State Representative Karen May for her many years of service to the people of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Representative May was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2000; she has been a tireless and diligent advocate for the 58th District; and she has held a number of leadership positions, including chair of the Telecommunications Committee and chair of the Environment & Energy Committee; and

WHEREAS, Representative May has been a progressive and independent voice in Springfield and a strong proponent of environmental protection, ethics reform, property tax relief, common-sense gun laws, access to affordable health care, State budget reforms, efficient transportation, and improved education; and

WHEREAS, Representative May has protected the rights of disabled persons in Illinois; she successfully fought for and passed legislation to improve access to parking for those who lawfully use spots designated for the disabled, while cracking down on scofflaws; and

WHEREAS, Representative May authored and passed public pension reforms to end abuses and to begin to create long-term stability of the State's pension systems; and

WHEREAS, Representative May has consistently worked to protect our children; she sponsored and passed legislation making radon testing and removal a condition of daycare licensing; and

WHEREAS, As founder and a co-chair of the Legislative Green Caucus, Representative May fought for legislation creating a State council to investigate and recommend policies to promote the use of electric vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Representative May was as comfortable introducing and passing complicated legislation as she was starring on stage during the Conference of Women Legislators' Capitol Capers shows in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, A woman of many talents, Representative May got her start in public affairs as a newspaper reporter in Chicago's northern suburbs, covering local government; she later started her own public relations firm, serving as president; and

WHEREAS, Representative May is a former member of the Highland Park City Council; she also previously served as the chair of the Highland Park Preservation Commission and member of the board of directors of the United Way; and

WHEREAS, As vice-president of the League of Women Voters of Highland Park, Representative May gained a broad perspective on public policy and spearheaded legislative efforts in the areas of campaign finance and election reform; and

WHEREAS, Representative May and her husband, Mort, have lived in Highland Park for over 30 years; their 2 children attended Highland Park public schools and now live in the area with their families, which include all 4 of Karen and Mort's grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Representative May will be missed by her colleagues, who hold her dedication, honesty, energy, and wit in the highest regard; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and thank State Representative Karen May for her years of dedicated service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to State Representative Karen May as an expression of our esteem and respect.