HR1046

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives wish to honor former State Representative 
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Chuck Hartke, as he steps down as the Director of the 
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Department of Agriculture on February 29; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Chuck Hartke, who spent more than 18 years in the 
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Illinois House of Representatives before getting his dream job 
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as director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture in 2003, 
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is stepping down from his position to take care of family 
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needs; and

 
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    WHEREAS,  Mr. Hartke has been active in public service for 
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most of his life, first
by valiantly serving his country in the 
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United States Army
from 1966 until 1968, including a tour in 
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Vietnam; he served on the Effingham
County Board from 1971 to 
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1974, was elected Secretary of the Democratic Central
Committee 
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in 1976, and was elected as Effingham County Democratic Central

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Committee Chairman from 1978
to 1985; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr.

Hartke, a former president of the Effingham 
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County Pork Producers, served in the Illinois House of 
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Representatives starting in 1985; he was confirmed by the 
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Illinois Senate in 2003 to oversee the Illinois Department of 
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Agriculture;  and

 
 


 






HR1046
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LRB095 20289 KXB 47281 r




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    WHEREAS, Mr. Hartke promoted both the State and county 
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fairs while serving in this position; he serves as president of 
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the Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture and 
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a board member of the National Association of State Departments 
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of Agriculture; and

 
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    WHEREAS, His family is still actively involved in farming, 
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with his son renting Mr. Hartke's 800-acre farm; Mr. Hartke, in 
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his own words, plans to do something less strenuous, like being 
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a professional golfer or a consultant; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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wish Chuck Hartke the best for both him and his family and 
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thank him for his years of service to the people of the State 
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of Illinois; and be it further

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