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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to honor Henry W. Tews for his
4 devotion to helping men and women overcome substance abuse and
5 chemical dependence; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Henry Tews is an exceptional individual, a man
7 whose passion and vision have helped thousands of men and women
8 in DuPage County recovering from substance abuse and chemical
9 dependence rebuild their lives and return as productive members
10 of their communities; and
 
11     WHEREAS, A recovering alcoholic's last request in 1965 so
12 moved Mr. Tews that he spent the next twenty years working to
13 open the first comprehensive treatment center in DuPage County;
14 today, Serenity House serves a population that is often
15 overlooked, indigent men and women who are struggling with
16 addiction; 85% of the individuals entering into the programs of
17 Serenity House are homeless, unemployed, and without health
18 insurance; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Mr. Tews founded Serenity House in 1985, and the
20 organization has grown from a four-bed cottage to a nationally
21 recognized treatment facility serving hundreds of men and women
22 in extended residential care, independent living, and

 

 

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1 outpatient programs; today, Serenity House is recognized as an
2 example of excellence in providing comprehensive substance
3 abuse treatment and responding to the complex needs of the men
4 and women in the programs; Serenity House still remains the
5 only facility of its kind located in DuPage County; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Some of Mr. Tews other accomplishments include:
7 President of the DuPage Prevention Partnership Board
8 (reelected six times), instructor at the College of DuPage
9 ("Starting a Social Service Agency", "Spirituality in
10 Recovery"), member of the Catholic Charities Advisory Board,
11 United Way Ambassador of Mercy and Agency Board Trustee, and an
12 appointment to a Special Supreme Court Committee on the
13 Lawyer's Assistance Program; and
 
14     WHEREAS, He has also been the recipient of a multitude of
15 awards commending him for his contributions to the community,
16 including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
17 2005 Outstanding Community Leader, the DuPage County Citizen of
18 the Year, the United Way Most Valuable Ambassador, and a
19 Resolution of Commendation for National Recovery Month from
20 DuPage County; in addition he served as a facilitator for the
21 "Building Better Communities" conference in Washington, D.C.;
22 and
 
23     WHEREAS, An accomplished author, Mr. Tews recently

 

 

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1 published the expanded edition of his popular book, Paint a
2 Little Square, an inspirational collection of short stories
3 that have touched the hearts of readers worldwide; Mr. Tews
4 resides in Crest Hill, with his wife and golf partner, Diane;
5 therefore, be it
 
6     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
8 honor Henry Tews for his dedication to the people of DuPage
9 County who need a friend in times of hardship; and be it
10 further
 
11     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12 presented to Henry Tews as a symbol of our respect and esteem.