HR0460 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0460 LRB095 12177 KXB 36865 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) as the organization celebrates its thirtieth anniversary; and

WHEREAS, NEDSRA was the first Special Recreation Association to operate a facility, the Cabin Nature Program Center, that is an accessible outdoor center for the entire community; NEDSRA is the only Special Recreation Association to utilize Job Training Partnership Act federal, State, and county funds to fund a summer program for youths with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, NEDSRA was the only Special Recreation Association to receive federal Youth Conservation Corps (Y.C.C.) funds and employ youths with disabilities in outdoor reclamation and accessibility projects; NEDSRA is the only Special Recreation Association to ever receive funds from the Illinois Department of Conservation; NEDSRA operated the Illinois Conservation Corps program and employed workers with and without disabilities in a summer youth program; and

WHEREAS, In 1979 NEDSRA was recognized as the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section's Outstanding Agency in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, NEDSRA has received numerous awards and recognition from the Illinois Special Olympics in recognition of their leadership and contributions to the success of Special Olympics in the Northeastern Illinois Special Olympics region; and

WHEREAS, In 1998 NEDSRA collaborated with the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association to form the DuPage PRO (Positive Recreation Opportunities) League; the PRO League targets students with severe behavior disorders from alternative schools and provides a structured environment for weekly sports competition; the League has grown from three to fourteen teams since its inception; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, NEDSRA received two National Therapeutic Recreation Society's "Jean Tague Innovative Program Awards" for its Pet Therapy Program and PRO League Competitive Sports League for At-risk Teens; in 2002, NEDSRA was named as one of only nine agencies nationwide to be chosen as a charter member of BLAZE Sports Clubs of America; through this national program, spearheaded by the United States Disabled Athletes Fund, new sports opportunities exist for people with physical disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, NEDSRA co-founded and continues to sponsor a local chapter of the Autism Society of America; in 2004 NEDSRA's website was redesigned and made interactive, winning the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Best of Show award; and

WHEREAS, During the 2005-2006 service year, NEDSRA implemented 730 programs for 4,764 separate individuals with a special need; NEDSRA promotes and advocates for people with disabilities through community education and ability awareness programs for local school districts; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association for thirty-years of serving the needs of others, for their hard work and commitment, and for their willingness to touch the hearts of so many; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association on their thirtieth anniversary as a symbol of our respect and esteem.