HR1486 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1486 LRB099 23962 GRL 51634 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Ronald P. Cooley of Petersburg on the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Illinois State Police Merit Board on December 31, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Cooley has been called a Yankee Doodle, having been born on the Fourth of July; he attended St. Joseph Grade School in Pekin, where his mother was a teacher, and he graduated from Pekin High School; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Cooley has been serving as Executive Director of the Illinois State Police Merit Board since January 1, 2008; as Executive Director, he demonstrated his unique abilities to transcend political philosophies for the betterment of all Illinois citizens; he was the driving force for the establishment of Public Act 97-1051 and the State Police Merit Board Public Safety Fund, a dedicated funding source for Illinois State Police cadet training so the department will be able to maintain staffing levels necessary for the safety of Illinois motorists; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Cooley served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intergovernmental Operations under former Comptroller, Dawn Clark Netsch, and as the Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs under Secretary of State, Jesse White; and

WHEREAS, Following his retirement, Ronald Cooley will continue to volunteer and serve his community with various organizations; he was instrumental in organizing the Secretary of State Annual Vehicle Show and Swap Meet and will remain interested in classic cars and antique tractors; he will continue volunteering at the Peoria Area Food Bank; he serves as President of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation and has made it his goal to fund and construct an Illinois State Police Memorial Park on South Sixth Street in Springfield, adjacent to the Illinois State Police headquarters; he will also continue serving on the Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation Board, a group dedicated to continuing the legacy of the Illinois State Fair, and the DuQuoin State Bank Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Cooley is looking forward to spending more time with his family, including his wife, Linda Morris-Cooley, his children, Kristi, Michael, and Nick (Heather), and his grandchildren, Zabian, Sebastian, Julian, Mason, and AnnaBelle; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Cooley 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-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Ronald P. Cooley on the occasion of his retirement 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 Ronald Cooley as a symbol of our esteem and respect.