HR1277 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1277 LRB094 20485 HSS 58748 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to offer our sincere congratulations to Dr. Joel Morris, who will become the next Superintendent of Maine Township High School District 207; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Dr. Morris graduated from Maine South High School; and

WHEREAS, After leaving Maine South High School, Dr. Morris went on to earn a bachelor's degree in history from Illinois State University, a master's degree in history from Loyola University, and a doctorate in educational administration with superintendent endorsement from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Morris served as a teacher at Maine South and as a central office administrator at Maine for eighteen years; and

WHEREAS, He left the Maine Township school system to become the Superintendent of West Chicago Community High School District 94, until he moved to Iowa in 1996 to serve as Superintendent of the Dubuque school system; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, he returned to Illinois and has since led Elmhurst schools as Superintendent of Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205; and

WHEREAS, For the past seven years, Dr. Morris has shaped Elmhurst schools into some of the best schools in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Morris' administration has overseen the completion of the York Community High School renovation into a state-of-the-art facility; and

WHEREAS, His vision and institutional knowledge are the driving force behind the ascension of Elmhurst schools to an elite category of excellence; and

WHEREAS, He has developed unique partnerships with community groups and agencies to help better serve the needs of students and local residents; and

WHEREAS, Upon leaving Elmhurst, Dr. Morris will return to his alma mater, Maine Township High School District 207, as the new superintendent; and

WHEREAS, Maine Township High School District 207 has approximately 7,500 students enrolled at three high schools and is comprised of students from Park Ridge, Des Plaines and parts of Glenview, Harwood Heights, Morton Grove, Niles, Norridge, Norwood Park Township, and Rosemont; and

WHEREAS, Not only did Dr. Morris graduate from Maine South, but his son is also a fellow alumni; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Dr. Morris was named Superintendent of the Year by the Illinois Association of School Administrators, and he received the University of Illinois Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joel Morris' dedication to improving education in Illinois is a source of inspiration to the entire community and State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Joel Morris for his exemplary years of service, for his achievement of educational excellence, and for his dedication to the children and residents of the City of Elmhurst; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Morris, his family, the City of Elmhurst, and Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 School Board.