HR0941 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0941 LRB096 19902 GRL 35785 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Paul Osborne on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ownership of the Decatur Tribune in December of 2009; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Paul Osborne received a call from a friend who told him that the Decatur Tribune was for sale; despite his lack of experience in the newspaper business, he decided to purchase the business and become the editor and publisher of the Decatur Tribune; and

WHEREAS, Under Paul Osborne's direction, the Decatur Tribune has thrived, with thousands of loyal subscribers reading his newspaper every day; the paper has also been the recipient of numerous press awards; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his successful paper, Paul Osborne also owns numerous other newspapers, an advertising agency, and a television news production studio; he has been involved with a daily television news program and radio broadcasting; he was also elected to serve as Mayor of the City of Decatur in 2003; he was then reelected in 2007 and served until his resignation on June 1, 2008; and

WHEREAS, For the last 40 years, Paul Osborne and his newspaper have served as invaluable sources of information and insight for the people of the City of Decatur and 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 Paul Osborne on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ownership of the Decatur Tribune and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Paul Osborne as a symbol of our esteem and respect.