92_SR0589

 
                                               LRB9218499KFkf

 1                          SENATE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, Senate President  James  "Pate"  Philip  is  the
 3    longest-serving  Senate Leader of either party in the history
 4    of the State, having served as  Minority  Leader  and  Senate
 5    President for a total of 22 years; and

 6        WHEREAS,  Senator Philip became Senate President in 1993,
 7    following Republican election victories that  resulted  in  a
 8    32-seat majority in this chamber; and

 9        WHEREAS,  When  Senator  Philip  was first elected Senate
10    President on January 13th, 1993, he was the first  Republican
11    to hold that office in 18 years; and

12        WHEREAS,  Senator  Philip  was responsible for changes in
13    Senate rules and  procedures  that  resulted  in  a  stronger
14    committee   process,   more  public  oversight,  and  shorter
15    legislative sessions; and

16        WHEREAS, He implemented numerous institutional changes as
17    Senate President that brought computers to the floor  of  the
18    Illinois  Senate and restored both the Senate Chamber and the
19    Senate hearing rooms to their original splendor; and

20        WHEREAS, Senator  Philip  has  led  the  Senate  in  many
21    significant     legislative     accomplishments,    including
22    responsible budgeting, increased education funding,  property
23    tax  caps,  welfare reform, tough anti-crime laws, government
24    ethics reforms, and State tax relief; and

25        WHEREAS, Senator Philip  also  serves  as  DuPage  County
26    Republican  Chairman,  where  he  has  helped  build a strong
27    political grassroots network; and

28        WHEREAS, Senator Philip started his political  career  in
29    1965  as  York  Township Auditor, was elected to the Illinois
30    House of Representatives in 1966, and served there until 1974
 
                           -2-                 LRB9218499KFkf
 1    when he was elected to the Illinois Senate;  in  the  Senate,
 2    he  served  as Minority Leader from 1981 until he was elected
 3    Senate President  in  1993,  and  he  was  re-elected  Senate
 4    President in 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001; and

 5        WHEREAS,  Senator  Philip  is  recognized for his work to
 6    increase public access to the  legislative  process,  improve
 7    our  schools,  streamline  government, hold the line on taxes
 8    and improve the State's job climate; and

 9        WHEREAS, He knows the value of the dollar, having  worked
10    38  years  for  Pepperidge  Farm,  retiring as District Sales
11    Manager; and

12        WHEREAS, Senator Philip is a lifelong resident of  DuPage
13    County,  where  he is active in numerous civic and charitable
14    organizations; and

15        WHEREAS, Senator Philip is known for his  often  colorful
16    quips in the daily newspapers and on the Senate floor; and

17        WHEREAS,  His straightforward approach has earned him the
18    respect of friends and opponents alike; and

19        WHEREAS,  Senator  Philip  is  a  Marine  Corps  veteran,
20    married to Nancy Louise, the  father  of  four  and  a  proud
21    grandfather; therefore, be it

22        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  SENATE  OF  THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL
23    ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE  OF  ILLINOIS,  that  Senate  President
24    James  "Pate"  Philip will be sorely missed by the members of
25    the Illinois Senate; and be it further

26        RESOLVED, That the  Illinois  Senate  will  not  be  same
27    without him; and be it further

28        RESOLVED,  That  a  suitable  copy  of this resolution be
29    presented to James "Pate" Philip  and  his  family  with  our
30    fondest wishes for an enjoyable retirement.