HR1458 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1458 LRB094 21624 HSS 60102 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Lee And Sherrill Blankenship, owners of Village Commons Bookstore in DeKalb, on being named the 2006 Illinois Retail Merchants Association Retailers of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the NIU campus, the Village Commons Bookstore (VCB) has a reputation for excellent service; VCB offers textbooks and supplies for all of the classes at NIU, operates a full-service art department and Greek department, and sells NIU clothing, computer programs, magazines, and everyday gifts and greeting cards; and

WHEREAS, The Blankenships are as devoted to the University and community they serve as they are to their business; when called upon, they have often supported NIU student organizations that needed help, and they give $5,000 annually to the Huskie Athletic Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, Their generosity crosses over into their business as well, translating into top-notch service for faculty and student customers alike; it's not unusual for VCB to help out faculty members with special requests, even when it costs the store money; and

WHEREAS, The Blankenships actively participate in business organizations, support nearly a dozen retail tenants within their building, and take leadership roles in fighting for a level playing field for retailers throughout their marketplace; Mr. Blankenship is not only a member of the National Association of College Stores, he once chaired the NACS Privately-Owned Stores Committee, helping develop education for the committee's annual conference and promoting the event to other private bookstores; Mrs. Blankenship accompanies him to the events and is often involved with the groups as well; he is also a long-time IRMA member and has served on the IRMA Board of Directors since 1995; and

WHEREAS, For their industry leadership, their commitment to Northern Illinois University, and their retail success, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association recently honored Lee and Sherrill Blankenship as its 2006 Illinois Retailers of the Year; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lee And Sherrill Blankenship, owners of Village Commons Bookstore in DeKalb, on being named the 2006 Illinois Retail Merchants Association Retailers of the Year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Blankenships as an expression of our esteem.