HR0433 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0433 LRB096 12871 KXB 26672 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Renny Garshelis, former wrestling official from Charleston, on being selected to the Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, The longtime official from Charleston has previously been named to Halls of Fame for the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, Eastern Illinois University athletics, and Charleston High School wrestling; and

WHEREAS, He began officiating locally, eventually working 39 championships, including national college meets and State high school events; he is the only official to have worked NCAA Division I individual and team championships and IHSA individual and team championships; and

WHEREAS, He began his career as the first wrestling coach at Charleston High School; after the school dropped wrestling, he began officiating high school meets in 1973 and then Eastern Illinois University meets; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Garshelis' officiating career evolved into working the Southern Open, the St. Louis Open, and Caesar's Palace tournaments for 20 years each, the Organ Bowl for 15 years, the Oklahoma Open and the Iowa Open for five years, and the NCAA West Regionals for 20 years; he officiated two NAIA nationals and in 1979 worked all three NCAA levels of Nationals, Divisions I, II, and III; and

WHEREAS, He officially retired in 2003, and spent a season coaching Charleston High School; since that time he has helped by observing high school officials and providing advice; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Renny Garshelis on this honor and wish him the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Renny Garshelis as a symbol of our respect.