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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives offer our sincere congratulations to Matthew
4 Gaughan, the 2006 National Youth Ambassador for Easter Seals
5 National; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Twelve year old Matty lives in Elmhurst with his
7 parents, Noreen and Paul Gaughan, and brother, Ryan; and
 
8     WHEREAS, When Matty was only 10 months old, he began
9 receiving treatment at Easter Seals DuPage for a form of
10 cerebral palsy known as spastic diplegia, which affects an
11 individual's extremities and fine motor skills; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Early in his treatment he wore braces on his legs
13 and used a walker; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Over the past 11 years Matty has worked with his
15 physical therapist, Jim Alviti, making great strides in
16 improving his quality of movement and today walks independently
17 and requires no braces; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Now in the seventh grade at Immaculate Conception
19 in Elmhurst, Matty excels in school, loves playing baseball,
20 golf, and football, where he has been nicknamed "The Crusher";
21 and
 
22     WHEREAS, Through weekly physical and occupational therapy,
23 he works to sustain the strength and mobility that he has
24 worked so hard to gain and will continue the workout regimen as
25 he gets taller and gains weight; and
 
26     WHEREAS, As Easter Seals' National Youth Ambassador, Matty
27 will serve as an advocate for Easter Seals and other children
28 with disabilities; and
 

 

 

HR0893 - 2 - LRB094 19477 HSS 55290 r

1     WHEREAS, Over the next year Matty will be informing people
2 from across the country about Easter Seals' services; and
 
3     WHEREAS, As the National Youth Ambassador, he receives the
4 honor of speaking at a national convention and at fundraisers;
5 and
 
6     WHEREAS, In addition, his image will be on cards and
7 posters promoting the Easter Seals' cause nationwide; and
 
8     WHEREAS, He will share his firsthand experience about how
9 with quality specialized treatment and determination,
10 individuals can achieve the same success he has achieved; and
 
11     WHEREAS, His achievement is a source of inspiration to the
12 entire State and for other individuals with disabilities;
13 therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, and
16 that we do hereby offer our congratulations to Matthew Gaughan;
17 and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to Matthew Gaughan and Easter Seals DuPage.