HR1517 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1517 LRB099 24145 MST 51826 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor our esteemed colleague, State Representative Patrick J. Verschoore, on his nearly 14 years as a member of the Illinois General Assembly and thank him for his dedicated service to our State and his community; and

WHEREAS, Representative Verschoore was born and raised in the Quad Cities as the youngest of seven children; his family traditions are deeply rooted in the rich agricultural land that surrounds the area; and

WHEREAS, Representative Verschoore dedicated his skills and commitment to organized labor for more than 30 years as a member of the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #25; he completed a five-year apprenticeship and received his plumber's license in 1970, quickly earning a reputation in the labor community as a fighter for workers' rights; he was elected President of Local #25 in 1972, and later served as the Business Manager/Financial Secretary and Fund Administrator for the Pension, Health & Welfare Fund; during his career, he became both a regional and statewide leader, serving as a Trustee on the Tri-City Building Trades Council and as Vice-President of the Illinois Pipe Trades Association; he retired from the union in 2000; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, Representative Verschoore joined the Illinois General Assembly, where he became an advocate for the middle class, fought for the rights of working families, and focused on improving educational opportunities for all children; he fought for economic development projects that provided good-paying jobs to workers in the Quad Cities region and passed laws to allow Rock Island schools to generate more needed revenue, protect workers by requiring tougher penalties for speeding in construction zones, and laws that ensured the protection of the rights of Illinois veterans and the elderly and their families; and

WHEREAS, Representative Verschoore has committed himself to serving his community through his volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club, Gilda's Club, Building for Kids, Hearts & Hammers, and as a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rock Island; and

WHEREAS, Representative Verschoore is most proud of his wife, Char; his son, Chuck; and his grandchildren, who have stood by his side during his career; and

WHEREAS, All who had the honor to serve with Representative Verschoore will miss his friendship, kindness, sincerity, and his unwavering commitment to his family, his community, and the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and thank State Representative Patrick J. Verschoore for his years of dedicated service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Representative Verschoore as an expression of our respect, esteem, and best wishes.