HR0007 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0007 LRB095 04148 KXB 24186 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Brian Waitkus, president of La Salle Elementary District #122, was honored by Dr. Christopher J. Ward, vice-chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, with the 2006 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award during the annual joint conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators, and Illinois Association of School Business Officials in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Waitkus has served on the La Salle school board since 1991; November of 2006 marked his ninth year as school board president of the elementary district, which has an enrollment of 920 students in grades pre-K through eighth-grade; and

WHEREAS, "Mr. Waitkus addresses crises and difficulties with courage and patience. He is able to reach consensus in solving a problem," Dr. Joan McGuire, La Salle Elementary District Superintendent, wrote in her nomination letter for Waitkus; she continued her nomination letter for Mr. Waitkus by stating "The board is informed and educated by Brian in a calm, non-judgmental fashion. He has earned the respect of the students, teachers, administration, and community"; and

WHEREAS, The Thomas Lay Burroughs Award is named after a former State Board chairman; it was created in 1991 and is presented annually; The criteria for the award are: leadership on behalf of improved student learning and educational excellence, leadership on behalf of equal educational opportunities, and leadership in resolving a crisis or major difficulty; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Brian Waitkus on receiving the 2006 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award from the Illinois State Board of Education and wish him continued success in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Brian Waitkus.