HR0611 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0611 LRB094 13912 CSA 48793 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives join "Mostly Music at Northeastern Illinois University" as they proudly recognize Eileen R. Mackevich, co-founder and president of the Chicago Humanities Festival from 1989 to 2005, and Northeastern Illinois University (NIU) alumna; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Mackevich is leaving the Festival after fifteen years, and on September 23, 2005, NIU will honor Eileen Mackevich for her immense contribution to the cultural life of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, What began as a modest one-day festival at the Illinois Humanities Council, inspired by its chairman and supported by four of Chicago's leading institutions: the University of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, grew under the leadership of its director, Eileen Mackevich, into a three-week annual Festival drawing thousands to a veritable feast of lectures and performances from around the world; and

WHEREAS, The fifteen festivals under her direction brought together novelists, scholars, musicians, archaeologists, historians, artists, playwrights, theologians, poets, architects, policy makers, and others to offer presentations around a theme of universal interest, such as "Expressions of Freedom", "Birth & Death", "Words & Pictures", and "Saving + Spending"; and

WHEREAS, In seeking out ever more exciting programs, Eileen Mackevich "toured" the world from her desk at the Chicago Humanities Festival to meet and invite authors, poets, performing artists, statesmen, and politicians to Chicago to participate in Festival programs; many have been touched by the vision and enthusiasm that for the past fifteen years Eileen Mackevich brought to her leadership of the Chicago Humanities Festival; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we join "Mostly Music at Northeastern Illinois University" in recognizing Eileen Mackevich's leadership, great energy, enthusiasm, and vision, and we commend her for her contribution to the field of the humanities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Eileen Mackevich as an expression of our admiration and esteem and best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.