HR0921 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0921 LRB099 16897 MST 41244 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Mayor Mark William Eckert on the occasion of his 60th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert was born in the City of Belleville on January 18, 1956 to Robert Henry and Shirley Ann "Ma" Eckert; he has a brother, Mike, who is married to Jean; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert grew up in Belleville and attended Henry Raab School and Central Jr. High; and

WHEREAS, On March 19, 1973, Mayor Eckert began working for Pete Gaerdner Funeral Home and Ambulance Service and continued his employment there for a total of 15 years until 1988; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert graduated from Belleville West High School in 1974, where he participated in many school activities, was elected Class President, and became the first recipient of the Student of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert is a graduate of the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy and studied at Belleville Area College for Law Enforcement and Paramedic EMT Training; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert married Rita nearly 30 years ago on April 5, 1986 and they have 4 children: Matt Joseph, who married Carly Miller on May 30, 2015; Kate Ann; Luke Joseph, who became engaged to Erika Roche on October 30, 2015; and Lucy Ann; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert co-founded the Franklin Neighborhood Community Association and served as its Executive Director from 1992 until 1995; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert was active in Boy Scouting throughout his life and served as Scoutmaster for 12 years, where by his guidance, Matt and Luke achieved the rank of Eagle Scout along with almost 30 other scouts; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert is a life-long member and past President of St. Paul United Church of Christ; and

WHEREAS, From 1997 until 2004, Mayor Eckert served as Alderman for Ward 5 for the City of Belleville; and

WHEREAS, On December 20, 2004, Mayor Eckert was appointed Mayor of the City of Belleville, and in April of 2005, he was elected to serve a 4-year term; he was elected to a third term in April of 2009 and a fourth term in April of 2013; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert has earned many awards in his career and he continues to expand his service and dedication to enhancing programs and services for the City of Belleville by serving on numerous boards and committees, including as Vice-President for the Illinois Municipal League Board and as President for the Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert and his wife have owned and operated Eckert Florist for 16 years, since September 9, 1999; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Eckert is known for his unconditional love for his family, strong character, devout leadership, commitment to his community, volunteerism spirit, and for promoting the vision and growth of Belleville; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Mayor Mark William Eckert on his 60th birthday and wish him many more wonderful years; and be it further

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