HR0515 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0515 LRB096 13241 GRL 27901 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Mary Lou Chapa on the occasion of being named the grand marshal for Aurora's Fourth of July parade; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa was born in Texas; she and her husband, Benito, came to Aurora and started their family; together, they had four children; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa overcame racial prejudice and sexism to flourish in the real estate business; when Mrs. Chapa received her real estate license in 1967, there were no minority and few women realtors, leading most of her peers to believe that she was foolish to pursue such an endeavor; disregarding such predictions, she went on to gain her broker's license in 1970 and opened her own office, becoming the first Latino realtor in Aurora; today, Chapa Realty is nearly 40 years old and a resounding success; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa has served her community as a member of numerous boards and organizations, including the board of directors for Mutual Ground, the Visiting Nurse Association, the Salvation Army, Family Counseling Services, Harris Bank, and the Hispanic and Greater Aurora Chambers of Commerce; she is a member of the Aurora Tri-County Association of Realtors, the State Board of Realtors, and the National Board of Realtors; she is also a past member of the YWCA Board and the Aurora Economic Development Commission; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa has been an active participant in numerous charitable causes; she has helped to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Cancer Foundation, and Mutual Ground; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, Mary Lou Chapa was named one of the Aurora YWCA's "Woman of Distinction" in honor of her service to her community; she is also one of Waubonsee Community College's "Fabulous 40" alumni; and

WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa 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 Mary Lou Chapa on the occasion of being named the grand marshal for Aurora's Fourth of July parade and wish her continued success in her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mary Lou Chapa as a symbol of our esteem and respect.