HR0271 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0271 LRB096 12244 KXB 24935 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Des Plaines Mayor Anthony Arredia on his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Anthony W. Arredia "Tony" has been Mayor of Des Plaines for 10 years, being appointed by the City Council to fulfill the term of the late Paul Jung in January of 2000 and then being elected to 2 subsequent terms; Mayor Arredia will leave office in May of 2009 due to term limits; and

WHEREAS, During his time as Mayor, he established a successful budgeting plan that not only carried the City of Des Plaines through the 9-11 crisis, but has kept the City financially stable through the latest economic downturn; during his tenure he increased Des Plaines' visibility, influence, and political position within the Northwest Suburbs, Cook County, and the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, He served as president of the Northwest Municipal Conference during its 50th anniversary year; he lead the way for the completion of the award winning Levee 50 project and the Riverwalk, saving many homes from damage during flooding; he lead a team of legislators to override the Governor's veto of the Stormwater Bill, establishing the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District as the authority for stormwater management in Cook County; and

WHEREAS, In addition he spearheaded the development of the downtown area and supported a very aggressive Economic Development Plan, including providing support and guidance, culminating in the awarding of the 10th Casino license to Midwest Gaming in Des Plaines; and

WHEREAS, He provided leadership for the many all-City annual events run by the Special Events Commission for the benefit of residents and visitors, including the Taste of Des Plaines, the 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, and the non-alcoholic, family-oriented, New Year's Eve celebration; he worked closely with the 1st Lady, Jean Arredia, to establish and administer the 1st Lady's Tea and Luncheon for the benefit of the Des Plaines Community Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Arredia continued, in cooperation with the Des Plaines Ministerial Association, the highly successful annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast for the benefit of the Illinois Burn Camp; he lead the way for the establishment of Des Plaines' highly successful Teen Center; and he became a charter member of the Board of Trustees which launched the Healthy Community Partnership Foundation, now the Des Plaines Community Foundation, to provide help for residents in need of house repairs and aid for the disabled; he began the establishment of cultural relations between Des Plaines and the City of Zuromin, Poland, by hosting visitors from the Public Library of Zuromin and Warsaw; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Arredia has never failed to credit the hard work of both past and current City Councils and the City staff, both management and clerical; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Mayor Anthony "Tony" Arredia on his retirement and wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Anthony Arredia as a symbol of our respect and esteem.