HR0798 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0798 LRB099 14096 GRL 38132 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate James "Jim" Craft on the occasion of his retirement after many years of service in agricultural education; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft is the son of Robert and Patricia (nee Tankersley) Craft; he is the third of 6 children and his family lived on the outskirts of Alton while he was a child; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft's family moved to Assumption when he was in the third grade; he completed his education in the Assumption school system, graduating in 1971; he took agriculture classes at Assumption High School and was an active member of the FFA; he raised and sold domestic rabbits and raised a sizable garden, selling fresh vegetables and popcorn in the community; he also worked at his uncle's garage, learning to repair tractors, grain trucks, and automobiles; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft served for 2 terms as the FFA Chapter Secretary; he was on the State Winning Poultry team in 1971 and represented Illinois in the National Poultry Contest; he was also named second place individual in the National Poultry Contest; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft entered the University of Illinois in the fall of 1971 and was recruited to the University of Illinois Poultry Judging team; the team represented the College of Agriculture in contests in Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina; he earned his bachelor's degree from the College of Agriculture in 1975; that fall, he entered graduate school at Southern Illinois University, where he completed the course work necessary to receive his teacher's certification; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft was named to the Phi Kappa Phi honors fraternity; during the spring of 1976, he was a student teacher in Patoka; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft was hired at Bluffs High School and began his teaching career in the fall of 1976; he had the opportunity to work with many students during his years at Bluffs and enjoyed strong community support; along with seeing several students achieve their State FFA Degree, he had the pleasure to see 2 students serve as major State FFA officers; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft served on various Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers (IAVAT) committees; he went on to serve as the Chairman of the IAVAT Judging Contest Committee; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft was named IAVAT's Outstanding Young Member in 1980; he served as Section 15 Chairman for 2 terms and went on to serve as District III Director; he was elected Vice President of the IAVAT in June of 1987 and served as the 1988-1989 IAVAT President; he also served the profession by representing Region IV in the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers' Association's (NVATA) Contest Advisory Committee and served on the NVATA Legislative Task Force for 4 years; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft holds life membership in the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, the National Association of Agricultural Educators, the Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education, and the Association for Career and Technical Education, as well as the FFA Alumni; and

WHEREAS, Bluffs Community Schools were Jim Craft's only teaching assignments; he remained there until January of 1990, when he was employed by the IAVAT Administrative Council to serve as the IAVAT Executive Director and the Illinois FFA Executive Secretary; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft served on the National FFA Board of Directors and was involved in the FFA's decision to move the National FFA Center and relocate the National FFA Convention; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft has twice served as a delegate coordinator for the National FFA; he has held a key role on several National FFA committees, including the National Chapter Award revision committee and the Agriculture Science committee; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft has been honored with the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree from Bluffs FFA members, an Honorary State FFA Degree from the Illinois FFA members, and an Honorary American Degree when he retired from the National FFA Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft went on to serve a 2-year term as the Eastern Region Vice President for the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education; he currently serves as the SAE Chairman for the National FFA Organization; and

WHEREAS, In his spare time, Jim Craft enjoys working on his family genealogy; he also enjoys traveling and many outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and hiking; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft will receive the 2015 VIP Citation for the National FFA Organization and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators as a special project of the National FFA Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Jim Craft serves as an example of a hard work, passion, and dedication; his work throughout his career has benefited many in the agriculture community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank and congratulate Jim Craft for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jim Craft as an expression of our congratulations and appreciation for a job well done.