HR1094 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1094 LRB099 21003 MST 46030 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate James E. Tierney on his retirement as Vice-President, State Legislative Affairs of the Illinois State Medical Society; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois State Medical Society is the statewide professional organization that represents and unifies its physician members before State government as they practice the science and art of medicine in Illinois; since its inception in June of 1840, the Society continues to represent the interests of physicians from all specialties and practice types, advocate for patients and promote the doctor/patient relationship, the ethical practice of medicine, and the betterment of the public health; and

WHEREAS, Before his 36 year tenure with the Illinois State Medical Society, James Tierney began his career in State government as a clerk at the Office of the Secretary of State; and

WHEREAS, James Tierney joined the Illinois State Medical Society in 1981 as a lobbyist; during his career with the Society, he advanced to the position of the Chief lobbyist by becoming Vice-President, State Legislative Affairs in 1993; and

WHEREAS, As the Illinois State Medical Society's Chief lobbyist, James Tierney directed all legislative and governmental affairs activities and served as liaison for members of the Society with elected officials and representatives of administrative agencies, departments, and the constitutional officers of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, James Tierney served as the Speaker of the Illinois Third House in 1998; and

WHEREAS, James Tierney has taken part in negotiations on some of the most important issues affecting physicians, patients, and the delivery of health care to the citizens of Illinois, such as physician and other professional licensing and disciplinary laws, establishing the experimental organ transplantation program, providing and revising advance directives for citizens to help plan for their health care needs, managed care laws, civil liability laws, and public health laws; and

WHEREAS, James Tierney always a gentleman faithfully and effectively advocated for Illinois physicians and has lead numerous coalitions of medical specialties and other groups representing health care professionals in negotiations on several different issues affecting the betterment of public health throughout the years earning him the honorary title of "Doctor Tierney" from many physician leaders in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Besides his diligent pursuit of lobbying on behalf of organized medicine, James Tierney is known for his excellence in the game of golf; he has been a member of the Medinah Country Club since 2003 and continues to compete in golf competitions at Medinah; while he excels at golf, he demonstrates his good nature by bestowing his advice and counsel upon the less talented golfers that are fortunate enough to play with him; and

WHEREAS, James Tierney is a graduate of Mater Dei High School in Breese and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; he has two sisters and numerous relatives that he looks forward to visiting, including many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate James E. Tierney on his retirement as Vice-President, State Legislative Affairs of the Illinois State Medical Society and wish him the best in all of his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to James Tierney as an expression of our esteem and respect.