HR0432 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0432 LRB098 12259 MST 46645 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Bess Shizas as she retires after 36 years of teaching; and

WHEREAS, Bess Shizas taught Language Arts at North Ridge Junior High School in Danville from 1961-1963 and English at Lyons Township High School in Western Springs from 1963-1975, where she was the chairperson of freshmen level and student council advisor; for the past 22 years, from 1990-2012, she has been at Koraes Elementary School in Palos Hills as the Junior High Language Arts teacher, 8th grade advisor, newspaper advisor, and Hellenic Law Day advisor; and

WHEREAS, Bess Shizas has had a tremendous influence on the students that have passed through her classroom over the years and is often visited by former students who are now in high school, college, and the work force to express their admiration and thank her for the influence she had on their lives; and

WHEREAS, Bess Shizas was always guided by her favorite quotation: "What the teacher is, is more important than what she teaches"; and

WHEREAS, Bess Shizas realized early in her teaching career the significance she could have and that teaching students allowed her endless opportunities to laugh with them, to listen and encourage their ideas, and to inspire them to read and appreciate literature; she was honored to be their teacher and impart the values and knowledge that would lead them to productive lives; and

WHEREAS, On December 29, 2012, a surprise retirement party was held to honor Bess Shizas by her daughter, Mary Beth at Mongo McMichaels Restaurant in Romeoville; filled with approximately 300 guests including family, friends, and students, past and present, the gathering showed the impact she has had on so many; and

WHEREAS, Bess Shizas names the 2 highlights of her teaching career to be when past students would visit and tell her how they continued to utilize what she taught them and her retirement party when she was overwhelmed by the comments of those there to honor her which solidified that she had chosen a profession she loved and would cherish forever; and

WHEREAS, Bess Shizas has a bachelors of science in English Education earned in 1961 and a masters of education earned in 1965, both from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bess Shizas, daughter of Tom and Mary Pergakes, was born on July 26, 1939, in Danville; she graduated from Danville High School in 1957 and resided there until moving to the Chicago area to teach at Lyons Township High School in 1963; she married Spero P. Shizas in 1970 and they had one daughter, Mary Beth, born in 1975; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Bess Shizas on the occasion of her retirement after 36 years of teaching, thank her for her commitment to education, and wish her all the best in her future endeavours; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Bess Shizas as an expression of our esteem and respect.