HR0953 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0953 LRB099 16985 MST 41334 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Edward Anton Karasek on the occasion of his retirement from the Berwyn Park District Board of Commissioners after 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Edward Karasek has been an elected member of the Board since April of 1966; and

WHEREAS, Over his 50 years of service to the District, Edward Karasek has served as Board President twice and currently serves as Board Secretary, a position he has held for many years; he currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Building and Grounds committee; he previously served as the voting delegate for the former Suburban Risk Management Agency and subsequently the Park District Risk Management Agency; he attended the Illinois Association of Park District annual conference and the Legislative Conference, where he utilized his experience and personal relationships developed over the years with legislators to support park district and recreation initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Edward Karasek volunteers with the Proksa Park Garden Club and works daily to help maintain the Children's Garden located in the Proksa Park's Teeter Center area; he has been a continuous member of the local Parent Teacher Association since 1958, and, along with his wife of 60 years, Mary, takes a continued interest in the education of toddlers through local college-age students; his expertise and understanding of finance helped the Berwyn Park District weather the financial downturn that affected the economy; he is often quoted in the local paper for his comments and suggestions made at local school, city, and other public meetings; and

WHEREAS, Edward Karasek has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Berwyn since 1952 and is one of the few members that can boast a perfect attendance record; during his tenure with the Kiwanis Club of Berwyn, he has served as President, Vice-President, Special Projects Chairman, and has served on the Board of Directors numerous times; his tireless efforts in helping to raise funds have allowed the club to donate more than $550,000 back to charities, agencies, and organizations in the Berwyn area; this includes the donation of furnishings for the community room at the Berwyn Public Library, donations to the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, the Special Olympics, park district programs, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Edward Karasek is a charter member of the Berwyn Development Corporation since March 14, 1983 and has served as President and Vice-President with distinction; he is also involved in other civic organizations and groups such as the All Berwyn Committee, where he serves on the Board of Directors; he is a former member of the Berwyn Home Owners Association and is an active member of the Democratic Committee of Berwyn; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Edward Karasek was awarded the distinguished Commissioner of the Year award by the Illinois Association of Park Districts at the annual conference in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Edward Karasek was employed with a Berwyn automobile dealer and handled many of the office-related business and finance duties; and

WHEREAS, Edward Karasek has indisputably made and continues to make immeasurable differences in the quality of life of the residents of the Berwyn Park District and the City of Berwyn; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Edward Anton Karasek on his retirement from the Berwyn Park District Board of Commissioners after 50 years, and we wish him the best in all of his future endeavors; and be it further

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