HR0362 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0362 LRB096 12621 KXB 26035 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dean James Johnson of the College of Arts and Humanities at Eastern Illinois University, on being named The Daily Eastern News Person of the Year and on his upcoming retirement; and

WHEREAS, He is a 1963 graduate of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art; he went on to receive his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Kansas in 1970; he spent nearly a decade teaching at the University of Kansas and Arkansas State University before making his way to Eastern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, He spearheaded efforts to complete the Doudna Fine Arts Center, brought together several various departments to form the College of Arts and Humanities, and strived to make the College of Arts and Humanities a continued success; and

WHEREAS, The College of Arts and Humanities is made up of Art, English, Foreign Languages, History, Journalism, Music, Philosophy, Speech Communication, and Theatre Arts; three study areas, African-American Studies, Social Science Studies, and Womens Studies Minor; and the Tarble Arts Center; and

WHEREAS, His responsibilities as Dean include administration of the College of Arts and Humanities budget, supervision of approximately 228 faculty members, 24 civil service staff members, and 14 administrative positions; in addition his office is responsible for several other important areas of the college, including certification of all majors for graduation; and

WHEREAS, Dean Johnson will be retiring in June of 2009 and will spend time with his family, his wife, Wanda, his three sons, Kirby, Brent, and Tyler, and his daughter-in-law, Bridget; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dean Johnson on being named The Daily Eastern Daily News Person of the Year, his retirement, and wish him all the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dean James Johnson as a symbol of our respect and esteem.