HR0515

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate Mary Lou Chapa on 
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the occasion of being named the grand marshal for Aurora's 
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Fourth of July parade; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa was born in Texas; she and her 
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husband, Benito, came to Aurora and started their family; 
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together, they had four children; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa overcame racial prejudice and 
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sexism to flourish in the real estate business; when Mrs. Chapa 
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received her real estate license in 1967, there were no 
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minority and few women realtors, leading most of her peers to 
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believe that she was foolish to pursue such an endeavor; 
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disregarding such predictions, she went on to gain her broker's 
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license in 1970 and opened her own office, becoming the first 
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Latino realtor in Aurora; today, Chapa Realty is nearly 40 
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years old and a resounding success; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa has served her community as a 
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member of numerous boards and organizations, including the 
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board of directors for Mutual Ground, the Visiting Nurse 
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Association, the Salvation Army, Family Counseling Services, 
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Harris Bank, and the Hispanic and Greater Aurora Chambers of 
 


 






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Commerce; she is a member of the Aurora Tri-County Association 
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of Realtors, the State Board of Realtors, and the National 
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Board of Realtors; she is also a past member of the YWCA Board 
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and the Aurora Economic Development Commission; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa has been an active participant in 
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numerous charitable causes; she has helped to raise money for 
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the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Cancer Foundation, and 
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Mutual Ground; and
 
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    WHEREAS, In 2005, Mary Lou Chapa was named one of the 
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Aurora YWCA's "Woman of Distinction" in honor of her service to 
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her community; she is also one of Waubonsee Community College's 
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"Fabulous 40" alumni; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mary Lou Chapa serves as a model of hard work, 
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integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of 
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Illinois; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate Mary Lou Chapa on the occasion of being named the 
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grand marshal for Aurora's Fourth of July parade and wish her 
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continued success in her future endeavors; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 


 






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presented to Mary Lou Chapa as a symbol of our esteem and 
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respect.