HR0690 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0690 LRB100 15484 ALS 30623 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Donna Kay Belknap's 36 years and 10 months of service with the Illinois Legislative Staff, the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission, and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, and congratulate her on her planned retirement in December 2017; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap began her career on the Senate Republican Appropriation Staff as a temporary secretary on March 1, 1981; the position became permanent and full time, and she worked there for over six years under the leadership of Carter Hendren, Roger Sweet, and John Kunzeman; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap transferred to the bi-partisan Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission on January 1, 1988; she started as the Receptionist and Office Assistant, a position she held for six years, and was then promoted to Executive Secretary; and

WHEREAS, At the Commission, Donna has provided exceptional service as Executive Secretary to Executive Directors Paul Vallas, Bill Hall, Dan Long, and Clayton Klenke; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap's services at the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability have spanned times of significant change for the Commissions, including when the Pension Section was removed to become the Pension Laws Commission and then merged back with the Commission in February 2004; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap was at the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission when the Commission's duties were expanded, and it was renamed the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability in January 2005; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap, the longest-serving Commission staff member, has always been a steady and welcoming presence, creating the Commission's reputation as a cooperative and responsive resource for the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap's commitment is shown through her actions; she is often the first one in the office and the last one to leave; she has been an accomplished, hard-working, and creative member of the legislative and commission staff; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap is smart and capable; she has adapted with the times over her long career of service, including transitioning from the use of carbon paper and typewriters to mastering the ever-changing computer technology and software necessary to accomplish her duties; and

WHEREAS, Donna Belknap's kindness, generosity, and sense of humor have been offered freely to everyone she has worked with, a testament of which is shown by the multitude of colleagues throughout the State and Legislature who have remained her friends over the years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Donna Kay Belknap's service to the Illinois General Assembly, as a member of the legislative staff and as Executive Secretary of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, and congratulate her on her planned retirement in December 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Donna Kay Belknap, Executive Secretary of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, as an expression of our deep respect for her public service.