HR0744 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0744 LRB099 14162 MST 38249 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Martin J. "Mike" and Patricia Blunt Koldyke have made it their life-long mission to raise the quality of teaching and learning in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Purdue University and serving as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps, Mike Koldyke founded the Frontenac Company, a Chicago-based private equity firm, in 1971, and served as its Chairman until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of Vassar College, Pat Koldyke began her career at Harper's Bazaar Magazine in New York before moving to Chicago with her husband in 1961; and

WHEREAS, The Koldykes were inspired while watching the Academy Awards on TV in the mid-80s to create a similar awards program for teachers to recognize excellence in teaching and the contributions of teachers in building a stronger, better-educated society; and

WHEREAS, Every year since 1986, The Golden Apple Foundation has chosen 10 outstanding teachers to receive this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Recipients of the Golden Apple Award become lifetime members of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, which conceives, develops, and supports programs for teachers to make them more effective in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, For 30 years, Golden Apple has recognized gifted teachers and provided them with the preparation and professional development they need for immediate and lasting success in the classroom, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged schools; and

WHEREAS, The Golden Apple Scholars program has prepared more than 1,000 teachers who are raising student achievement in some of Illinois' most challenging teaching environments; and

WHEREAS, The exceptional leadership and public service provided by the Koldykes continues to transform teaching and learning in the Chicago region and beyond, particularly for underprivileged students; and

WHEREAS, Mike Koldyke serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Golden Apple Foundation, and he and Pat continue to serve on the board of the Golden Apple Foundation; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Mike Koldyke was appointed by both Mayor Richard M. Daley and Governor Jim Edgar as Chair of the Chicago School Finance Authority, and by President Clinton to serve on the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans; and

WHEREAS, After reading about Native Americans being passed over by college recruiters, Mike Koldyke was instrumental in developing a program at the New Mexico Highlands University to improve the recruitment and mentoring of Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, Since 2005, the Koldykes have sponsored Chicago Public School children, many of whom have never been out of Chicago, for a trip to Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Colorado and a cowboy experience at their ranch; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, the Koldykes established the Chicago Council on Global Affairs' Patricia Blunt Koldyke Fellowship in Social Entrepreneurship to recognize emerging leaders who are transforming society through innovative solutions to pressing global challenges; and

WHEREAS, Pat Koldyke has also served on the boards of Children's Memorial Hospital, the Erikson Institute, the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Brain Research Foundation, and the Persons with Disabilities Fund at the Chicago Community Trust; Mike Koldyke has served on the boards of After School Matters, Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico, WTTW Communications, Inc., Chicago Public Education Fund, Big Shoulders Fund, The Economic Club of Chicago, and others; he has been a trustee of Northwestern University, Ravinia, The Brookings Institution, Choate Rosemary Hall, Joffrey Ballet, and Common Cause; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that Pat and Mike Koldyke, on the 30th Anniversary of the Golden Apple Foundation, are recognized for providing the passion, leadership, and vision of the Golden Apple Foundation as one dedicated to transforming teaching and learning in the Chicago region and throughout all of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Pat and Mike Koldyke are commended for developing the Golden Apple Foundation's legacy of focus on preparing resilient and successful new teachers for the profession of education through the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Pat and Mike Koldyke are commended for their inspired belief that excellent teachers are critical to a student's success, especially with regard to students from schools of need; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Pat and Mike Koldyke are recognized for their bold commitment to education in the State of Illinois, through the new growth trajectory of the Golden Apple Foundation, which aspires to double the annual cohort of Golden Apple Scholars in Illinois by 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Pat and Mike Koldyke as an expression of our esteem and respect.