HR0205 LRB096 12095 KXB 24190 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate Willie Van of
4 Springfield on his retirement from the Sangamon County Juvenile
5 Center; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Willie Van is a Springfield native who attended
7 Southeast High School and graduated in May of 1969; Willie
8 earned an athletic scholarship to Augustana College and
9 completed his four years at Augustana, receiving a B.A. degree
10 in Sociology in May of 1973; while at Augustana, Willie
11 participated in football, and in October of 2003 was inducted
12 into the Augustana Sports Hall of Fame; and
 
13     WHEREAS, During his time at Augustana he won awards as
14 Co-Most Valuable Freshman, CCIW All-Conference Team in 1971 and
15 1972, and he was the first African-American to receive the NAIA
16 All-American Team award in 1971 and 1972; he was the senior
17 year team captain, and was also named to the All-Lutheran Team
18 1971 and 1972; and
 
19     WHEREAS, After graduation, he began working at a Boys Home
20 in Rockford, called Rosecrance; from then on, Willie continued
21 to work in the social service field by working at many more
22 social service agencies; he will conclude his work at Sangamon

 

 

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1 County Juvenile Center as a Treatment Specialist effective
2 March 31, 2009; and
 
3     WHEREAS, Willie began his employment with the Sangamon
4 County Juvenile Center on March 12, 2001 and has worked
5 tirelessly; his responsibilities as Treatment Specialist
6 include securing care, guidance, and discipline for each minor
7 as close as the care that would normally be given by his or her
8 parents; Willie's charge has been the safety, emotional,
9 mental, and physical welfare of minors, as well as
10 strengthening the minor's family ties whenever possible; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Willie has strived to deliver the highest quality
12 of services to youth at risk, and despite the challenges that
13 frequently present themselves, he has consistently performed
14 to the very best of his ability and has remained optimistic by
15 always being willing to see a worthwhile attribute in a young
16 person or situation despite how buried it may be; during his
17 eight years at the Center, he has been committed to the lives
18 of youth at risk by being honest, compassionate, and fair
19 toward the juveniles in his care; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Willie's favorite things to do are watching
21 sporting events, exploring history and historical places,
22 traveling to different places, cooking, exercising, and
23 listening to music; his favorite color is blue; he is married

 

 

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1 to Bobbie, and they have three children, Tracie, Willie, and
2 Corie, as well as several grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
3     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
5 congratulate Willie Van and wish him the best in his future
6 endeavors; and be it further
 
7     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8 presented to Willie Van as a symbol of our respect and esteem.