HR0500 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0500 LRB095 12393 GRL 37383 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In June of 2007, Ira Collins, Center Director of Shapiro Developmental Center in Kankakee County, will observe his seventieth birthday and mark over forty-five years of service to developmentally disabled individuals in the states of Illinois and Missouri; and

WHEREAS, For over thirty-five years, Ira Collins' leadership has been instrumental in creating an environment wherein each and every resident at Shapiro Developmental Center is afforded the fullest opportunity to engage in meaningful educational, vocational, and social activities in order to achieve his or her highest level of self-sufficiency and personal independence; and

WHEREAS, During his forty-five years of service, Ira Collins has been and continues to be a forceful and unwavering advocate for the developmentally disabled to enjoy the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen, and to insure that necessary levels of federal and State resources are directed to services and programs for the developmentally disabled; and

WHEREAS, Under Ira Collins' stewardship, Shapiro Developmental Center has been recognized within the State of Illinois and throughout the entire nation as a cost effective yet mission driven facility to such extent that Ira Collins has been asked to provide counsel and advice to similar facilities throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, Ira Collins has been recognized for his efforts to insure that developmentally disabled adults have the opportunity to reside in the most appropriate, yet least restrictive setting, and has been further recognized for his support for and belief in community-based programming, including the Special Olympics and vocational centered developmental training programs; and

WHEREAS, The dedication, passion, and professionalism with which Ira Collins has prosecuted his responsibilities at Shapiro Developmental Center have resulted in the facility being recognized as having attained the highest standards of resident service, program quality, and professional responsibility, as evidenced by the level of accreditation and licensure attained from federal and State agencies and from private accrediting bodies; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that Ira Collins is hereby recognized for his dedicated service to the people of the State of Illinois and for his untiring devotion to insuring that each and every developmentally disabled resident of this State be afforded the fullest opportunity to achieve his or full potential and to participate, to the maximum extent possible, as a member of democratic society; and be it further

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