HR0051 LRB095 08118 KXB 28282 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, In the Spring of 2006 the Illinois House of
3 Representatives embarked on the construction phase of an
4 ambitious effort to restore its regular State Capitol chambers
5 to the former grandeur and majesty of their first days in 1877;
6 and
 
7     WHEREAS, The extent of the work required to reconstruct the
8 House chambers was such that it necessitated that the Body
9 select an alternative site at which to convene the 94th General
10 Assembly's 2006 Fall Veto Session, held the 14th, 15th, 16th,
11 28th, 29th, and 30th days of November, and the concluding three
12 days of the regular session, held the 7th, 8th, and 9th days of
13 January 2007; and
 
14     WHEREAS, After a thorough review it was determined that the
15 most logical and fitting location for temporary quarters would
16 be the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in downtown
17 Springfield; it is one of the five former State Capitols and
18 the last home of the General Assembly before taking up
19 residence in the current Capitol in 1877; and
 
20     WHEREAS, The Old State Capitol had not been used as a
21 legislative meeting place since the years 1875 to 1877, when it
22 housed the 29th General Assembly, nor had it been used as a

 

 

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1 place for official State business since delegates to the 1970
2 Constitutional Convention assembled there to do their work; and
 
3     WHEREAS, A brief period of adjustment to the amenities and
4 particularities of a 19th Century legislative setting quickly
5 gave way to the House members' deep sense of awe at their
6 historic surroundings; legislators recognized the rare honor
7 and privilege afforded them to speak and debate in the same
8 place as had many of their distinguished predecessors,
9 including Abraham Lincoln, our nation's greatest president and
10 a former member of the Illinois House, who delivered his famous
11 "House-Divided" speech in that same setting after his selection
12 as the 1858 Republican U.S. Senate candidate; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The nine session days of the House of
14 Representatives held at the Old State Capitol demonstrate that
15 a facility designated a National Historic Landmark and listed
16 on the National Register of Historic Places may still play an
17 essential role in the operations of modern government when the
18 need arises; and
 
19     WHEREAS, While the House of Representatives staff devoted
20 extensive time and energy towards ensuring that House members
21 would be able to conduct the important business of the people
22 without undue burden or hardship, it is recognized that this
23 would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of

 

 

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1 the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency staff; Director
2 Robert Coomer, Pat Baska, Jennie Battles, Dave Blanchette, Ed
3 Killen, Dennis Mastroddi, Dan Ortgesson, Lee Reed, Chet Rhodes,
4 Bill Sherer, Sandy Temple, and Gary Whitly all played essential
5 roles in ensuring the smooth functioning of the proceedings;
6 Site Manager Justin Blandford and his assistant Bill Hortberg
7 are worthy of special commendation for their dedication, hard
8 work, and long hours; and
 
9     WHEREAS, House members, staff, and all those who had the
10 good fortune to observe the proceedings of the 94th General
11 Assembly at the Old State Capitol judged them to be a complete
12 success, worthy of the Body's traditions and history;
13 therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
16 extend a hearty thank you to those who offered their
17 hospitality and made it possible for the House to meet in such
18 magnificent temporary quarters and fulfill its constitutional
19 responsibilities; and be it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to
21 Director Robert Coomer, Pat Baska, Jennie Battles, Dave
22 Blanchette, Ed Killen, Dennis Mastroddi, Dan Ortgesson, Lee
23 Reed, Chet Rhodes, Bill Sherer, Sandy Temple, Gary Whitly,

 

 

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1 Justin Blandford, and Bill Hortberg as an expression of our
2 sincere appreciation and gratitude.