HR1547 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1547 LRB095 22601 GRL 53006 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Richard Steele of Morris on the occasion of being selected as an inductee to the 2008 Illinois Senior Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Richard Steele was employed as a radio announcer from 1964 until 1999; he currently hosts a popular talk show every Sunday for WCSJ radio in Morris, in which he highlights local events and organizations; he is well known in the Morris area as a tireless promoter of youth sports programs; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from radio, Richard Steele chose to help his community; in 2001, he was appointed to the position of Morris Township Trustee and Road Trustee; he ran for a position on the Grundy County Board in 2002 and was elected with the highest number of votes; as a County Board member, he serves on numerous committees, including the Environmental, Health, Emergency Management, County Home, and Election committees, as well as the Route 66 Executive Board and the Emergency Food and Shelter Board; he also serves on Illinois State Representative Careen Gordon's Senior Advisory and Economic Development committees; and

WHEREAS, Richard Steele is well known in his community as a dedicated volunteer; he helped raise over $100,000 to help underprivileged children get Christmas presents and school supplies; he helped organize the "Light Up the Night Event" in October of 2007, which seeks to prevent domestic violence, honor those who help prevent domestic violence, and give resources to those affected by domestic violence; he helped organize the "Hands Around the Courthouse" events to raise awareness of child abuse; he has also helped raise awareness for such causes as the United Way, Operation St. Nick, the Veteran's Assistance program, and the Grundy County Corn Festival, among many others; and

WHEREAS, Richard Steele has held memberships at the Lions Club, the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce, the Morris High Music Boosters and football team, the Quarterback Club in Morris, and the Grundy County Centennial Committee; he currently serves as a member of the Grundy County Justice Assistance Board, a board that helps victims of crimes pay for needed resources such as counseling and funerary expenses; and

WHEREAS, Richard Steele has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his many works; he was inducted into the Coal Valley Old Timers Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Grundy County Senior Hall of Fame in 1999; he was the recipient of the State Police Award for Public Service in 1999; on the day of his retirement in 1999, the City of Morris proclaimed the day "Dick Steele Day" in honor of his accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Richard Steele's dedication to his community and his willingness to those in need make him a supremely qualified inductee to the Illinois Senior Hall of Fame; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Richard Steele of Morris on the occasion of being selected as an inductee to the 2008 Illinois Senior Hall of Fame and wish him continued success and happiness in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Richard Steele as a symbol of our esteem and respect.