HR0161 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0161 LRB096 11910 KXB 23093 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Paula Allen-Meares, Ph.D. became Chancellor of the University of Illinois at Chicago on January 16, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Allen-Meares is a distinguished, nationally-recognized social work research scholar, educator, and practitioner who most recently served as Dean and the Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of the School of Social Work and Professor of Education at the University of Michigan; and

WHEREAS, While serving as Dean, Dr. Allen-Meares published 25 journal articles, eight books, 10 chapters, and provided unparalleled leadership via her personal commitment to scholarly excellence; and

WHEREAS, The University of Michigan School of Social Work was ranked number one among graduate schools of social work by U.S. News and World Report for 13 of her 15-years as dean; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Allen-Meares also served as Dean and Professor of the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received her Master's degree in Social Work and Ph.D. in social work; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Allen-Meares' elevation to the office of chancellor validates the important leadership role that social workers and the social work profession contribute to creating and sustaining a more just society; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Allen-Meares joins the ranks of an elite group of African American women to lead a major research university in the United States; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Paula Allen-Meares and wish her continued success in her leadership duties at the University of Illinois at Chicago; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Paula Allen-Meares as a symbol of our respect and esteem.