HR0555 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0555 LRB095 12562 GRL 37801 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly wish to present this resolution as a tribute to and acknowledgement of Alan J. Dixon's contributions to the State of Illinois and the nation, as we benefit immensely from his presence in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Alan J. Dixon will celebrate his 80th birthday on July 7, 2007, and we congratulate him for his distinguished service to the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Alan J. Dixon began his 43-year political career in law school, when he was elected Belleville Police Magistrate; at the age of 23, he became one of the youngest legislators ever elected to serve in the Illinois House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Alan J. Dixon rose through the ranks of State government as an Illinois State Representative for 12 years before being elected to the Illinois Senate; and

WHEREAS, Alan J. Dixon served in the Illinois Senate for 8 years, rising to Assistant Democratic Leader; in 1970, he was elected State Treasurer; he has since served as Secretary of State, an office he won by a margin of 1.3 million votes; he won re-election to that office by a margin of 1.5 million votes; that re-election marked the only time a candidate from either political party ever carried all 102 Illinois counties in an election, including all 30 townships in suburban Cook County and all 50 wards in the City of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Alan J. Dixon was a gregarious politician and was known as "Al the Pal" among friends, colleagues, and news pundits; his staff wore "I'm Al's Pal" campaign buttons during his 1980 campaign for the United States Senate; he was elected to the United States Senate that year; and

WHEREAS, In 1988 and again in 1990, Alan J. Dixon was selected by his party colleagues unanimously to serve as the Chief Deputy Whip of the United States Senate, the number 3 leadership post; Senator Dixon enjoyed an unbroken string of 29 election victories; and

WHEREAS, At the request of President Clinton, Alan J. Dixon served as chairman of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 1994 and 1995, a job that called for both defense experience and good political relationships with both Democrats and Republicans; as a former chairman of an important Senate Armed Services Subcommittee, Senator Dixon had the defense knowledge required for the job; he also got along well with both Democrats and Republicans; and

WHEREAS, Alan J. Dixon is presently a partner with the St. Louis based law firm, Bryan Cave, LLP, where he serves both corporate and government clients; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that July 7, 2007 and each subsequent July 7 be known as Alan J. Dixon Day to recognize the innumerable achievements of Alan J. Dixon; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Alan J. Dixon as an expression of our utmost respect and esteem.