HR1581 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1581 LRB094 22262 MST 60979 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Retired Illinois State Representative Harold Murphy will be honored by The Pastors Network on Monday, January 15, 2007 during the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Celebration at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Harold Murphy was born on April 1, 1938 in Birmingham, Alabama and has become one of South Suburban Chicago's most astute political strategists, but most importantly- one of Illinois' most respected public servants; he has become a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights, social justice, and equality in education and jobs for all people; and

WHEREAS, He has a Bachelor of Arts in Education with Honors from Northeastern Illinois University; he served in the Army Reserves for eight years and was employed for over 20 years as executive director of the Charles Chew Facility of the Illinois Secretary of State's Office; he has been active with the local school board and the Markham Park District for over 33 years as well as the local Little League Baseball Team; he served the city of Markham as alderman for six years and was elected to the Board of Trustees for South Suburban College for six years as well; in 1993 he was elected as the Illinois State Representative for the 30th Legislative District, holding the office for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Harold Murphy has been awarded the Professional Leadership Outstanding IPAC Freshman Legislator's Award, the South Suburban Parks and Recreation Legislator of the Year, the Distinguished Service Award-Markham Park District, Outstanding Statesman of the Year, and the Illinois Education Association Outstanding Legislator; and

WHEREAS, Harold Murphy served on numerous legislative committees including Prison Management Reform, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Advisory Board, the Illinois Advisory Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependency, Higher Education, Financial Institutions, County and Townships, Commerce, Industry, and Labor, Health Care Availability and Access, Environment and Energy, and Elementary and Secondary Education; he co-chaired the Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee; he was Vice-Chairman of the Pension Laws Commission and Chairman of the Personnel and Pension committee; and

WHEREAS, Harold Murphy knew his job as state legislator required the help of the community; he developed committees within the district to more effectively resolve the issues facing the district such as an educational task force, the Park and Recreational Association, Clergy, Mayors, and Trustees, Police and Firemen, Emergency Service, Healthcare Agencies, Businessmen, Community Activists, and Seniors and Youth; and

WHEREAS, He often reached out to help meet the needs of his community; he helped supply turkeys and food for the holiday seasons, visited nursing homes and children's facilities, participated in the South Suburban Toys for Tots and Angel Tree programs, and helped further education by awarding Illinois General Assembly Scholarships; and

WHEREAS, Harold Murphy actively worked in his community through voter registration drives, attending school, park, and library board meetings, and attending municipality, township, and town hall meetings; he participated in the 2000 U.S. Census, the Democratic National Convention Planning Committee in Chicago; and remains an active member of the Victory Christian Assembly Church; and

WHEREAS, Harold Murphy was married for over 46 years to the late Loretta Murphy; he is a father of three and also a grandfather and great-grandfather; always realizing the importance of family and community, he worked for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Cook Juvenile Detention Center, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Harold Murphy for his lifetime of contributions to the betterment of the State of Illinois and his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Harold Murphy as an expression of our esteem.