HJ0015 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0015 LRB099 06141 MST 26197 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is important to recognize those who contributed to the betterment of the State of Illinois through public service; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings was born in Franklin on January 25, 1941; he graduated from Franklin High School in 1959; he served in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in October of 1969 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Bradley University in 1971; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings returned to Morgan County and selflessly dedicated his time and unique talents to better his community, a place that loved him as much as he loved it; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings worked as a civil engineer and land surveyor for over 35 years and excelled as a leader in his field; he served as President of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association and received the association's A. "Pat" Patterson Illinois Land Surveyor of the Year Award in 1999; he retired in 2002 as an owner and partner of Benton and Associates, a Jacksonville-based engineering firm; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings was also prominent in Morgan County for his unmatched dedication to volunteer work; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings served as chairman of Corridor 67 Inc., a group that successfully expanded Route 67 under his leadership; his distinctive combination of his knowledge in civil engineering and passion for the betterment of his community enabled him to envision and implement this project, and many others, to an outstanding degree; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings was elected to 2 terms as Morgan County Commissioner in 2006 and 2012; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings was a longtime member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, where he received the Circle of Excellence Award after volunteering countless hours; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings was actively involved on the board of directors for the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation, the Passavant Hospital Foundation, the Governor Duncan Association, the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association, and the West Central Development Council; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings was a member of the Meredosia and Florence Bridge Replacement Citizens Advisory Committees, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, the Elks Lodge, the Moose Lodge, Rotary International, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Harmony Masonic Lodge 3 - Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite-Valley of Springfield, the Ansar Shrine, the Rasna Shrine Club, and ROJ Court 20; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings provided graveside military honors to his fallen comrades as a member of the Combined Veterans Ceremonial Team, a group proud to honor the fallen who have helped the living; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings loved reveling in the tranquility of the outdoors; he frequented his houseboat at the Alton Marina with his family and friends; he enjoyed deepsea fishing and hunting; he loved the beauty of the Mississippi River and its long history; however, he cherished his family most of all; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Stanley "Bill" and Mona (nee Mitchell) Rawlings; his brother, William "Bill" Rawlings; and his sister-in-law, Sherry Peck Rawlings; and

WHEREAS, Dick Rawlings is survived by his wife of 38 years, Diane Johnson; his 2 children, Monica (Christopher Ryan) Carroll and Michael (Holly) Rawlings; his 3 grandchildren, Jackson and Elaine Carroll and Nathanyle Loy; his sister, Marilyn (Darrell) Smith; his brother, Robert "Bob" Rawlings; and several nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to individuals who dedicated their lives in the service 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, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of U.S. Route 67 between Liberty Road and Interstate 72 near Jacksonville as the "Dick Rawlings Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name the "Dick Rawlings Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Dick Rawlings, the Mayor of Jacksonville, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.