HR1258 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1258 LRB096 22355 GRL 41496 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate H. Dennis Smith on the occasion of being nominated for the WSPN Non-Profit Executive of the Year award by the Northern Illinois Food Bank; and

WHEREAS, The West Suburban Philanthropic Network (WSPN) is a 21-year-old organization dedicated to supporting development professionals and advancing philanthropy in the western suburbs of Chicago; the Non-Profit Executive of the Year award is given by WSPN to a senior-level not-for-profit executive who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing the mission and services of his or her organization for the benefit of residents in the western suburbs; and

WHEREAS, H. Dennis Smith attended the University of South Carolina, where he majored in journalism; he then switched to the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1964; and

WHEREAS, H. Dennis Smith joined the Northern Illinois Food Bank in August of 1998, following his retirement as Director of Corporate Communications for Van den Bergh/Lipton Foods; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, H. Dennis Smith has guided the organization to new heights of success through his incredible vision, hard work, and discipline; the food bank has increased the amount of food it distributes from 7 million to 29 million pounds in 2009; the food bank has also increased its partner agencies from 210 to 547 and expanded its revenue from $1 million to $6 million; in addition, NIFB now operates 2 branch locations in Park City and Rockford and has strong ties to numerous county government officials and community organizations throughout DuPage County; and

WHEREAS, Under H. Dennis Smith's guidance, the Northern Illinois Food Bank has received a Charity Navigator 4-Star Rating for 6 consecutive years and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Innovative Advocacy Program of the Year award, the Food Sourcing Program of the Year award, and Group Volunteer of the Year award, and the Congressional Hunger Award; and

WHEREAS, H. Dennis Smith is the past president of the Illinois Food Bank Association; he is the chair of Feeding America's National Hunger Action Committee; he is also a member of the Illinois Commission on Poverty; and

WHEREAS, H. Dennis Smith and his loving wife, Joy, live in Geneva; and

WHEREAS, H. Dennis Smith serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate H. Dennis Smith on the occasion of his nomination for the WSPN Non-Profit Executive of the Year award and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to H. Dennis Smith as a symbol of our esteem and respect.