HR0208 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0208 LRB094 11703 CSA 43540 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives congratulate Francis and Anita Bowers of Lovington on their retirements from the Moultrie Independent Telephone Company; and

WHEREAS, Since July 1, 1975, Francis and Anita Bowers have owned and operated the Moultrie Independent Telephone Company (Company) along with their sons, Steven, David, and Stuart; the Bowers also have a daughter, Suzie McCloy; Francis and Anita Bowers have been married for 58 years; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the Company has continued to make improvements and add services for residents of Lovington and the surrounding area; the Company has been a member of the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) for approximately 40 years; Francis Bowers served as Treasurer for this national organization from 1980 to 1986; it was during this time that OPASTCO moved its national headquarters from Chicago to Washington D.C., and Mr. Bowers spent several years shuttling back and forth between Lovington and Washington D.C. to assist in this transition and to fulfill his duties as Treasurer; he also served as Treasurer of the Illinois Independent Telephone Association from March 2, 1971 to December 4, 2003; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, the cable TV provider, Moultrie Telecommunications, was established; in May of 1990, a digital switch was installed which had the capacity to provide 12,000 lines and 16,000 numbers; in July of 1996, Moultrie InfoComm was established to provide long-distance telephone service to Lovington customers; in October of 1996, One-Eleven Internet Services was established to provide dial-up and broadband Internet service to customers in Central Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Francis and Anita Bowers are longtime members of the Lovington First United Methodist Church; Mr. Bowers served as mayor of Lovington from 1968 to 1972; and

WHEREAS, Anita Bowers retired on December 31, 2004, and Francis Bowers retired on February 2, 2005, his 80th birthday; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we wish Francis and Anita Bowers well in their retirement and commend them for their many years of dedicated and progressive service to the telephone industry and to the customers of Moultrie Independent Telephone Company; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Francis and Anita Bowers as an expression of our admiration and esteem.