HR0887 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0887 LRB098 20497 GRL 56460 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Michael J. Tate on the occasion of his 60th birthday on March 7, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Michael Tate was born on March 7, 1954 in Lincoln; his parents are Jim and Audrey Tate; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Stephen Decatur High School, Michael Tate attended Milliken University and graduated from Western Illinois University, where he earned a degree in Political Science and Public Administration; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 25, Michael Tate became the youngest public official in Decatur's history when he was elected to the Decatur City Council; shortly afterwards, he was honored to be elected to the Illinois House of Representatives at the age of 26; during his 10 years as an Illinois State Representative, he loyally served the constituents of Christian, Cumberland, Macon, Moultrie, Sangamon, and Shelby counties and earned a reputation as an honest, hard-working, and effective lawmaker; he served as a member of the Illinois House Republican leadership and was a Minority Spokesperson on the Appropriations Committee at a time when Illinois had a balanced budget under the leadership of Governor James R. Thompson; he also served faithfully on the Agriculture Committee; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure in the Illinois House of Representatives, Michael Tate was instrumental in securing funding for the Richland Community College Campus, the construction of Illinois Route 39, and major improvements to Eagle Creek State Park on Lake Shelbyville; and

WHEREAS, Michael Tate has been a proud recipient of numerous Illinois Farm Bureau Service's "Friend of the Farmer" Awards; he also received awards from the Illinois Hospital Association, the Illinois Mental Health Association, the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois State Rifle Association, the National Rifle Association, and the Federation of Independent Business in recognition of his sound economic policies, fiscal conservative values, and ability to effectively represent the concerns of his constituents; and

WHEREAS, Michael Tate has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois since 1990; in this position, he has served many communities and small businesses well with his tireless work on behalf of the association and its more than 1,200 members throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, Michael Tate and his wife, Cindy (nee Morton) Tate, will celebrate 30 years of marriage in 2014; they are the proud parents of Andrew, Rorrie, Regan, and Chase; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Michael J. Tate on the occasion of his 60th birthday and wish him many happy and healthy years to come; and be it further

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