Bill Text: IL HR0036 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Phillip Paeltz on his success as the first Headmaster of Governor French Academy.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-29 - Resolution Adopted [HR0036 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HR0036-Introduced.html

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HR0036 LRB101 06851 ALS 51882 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to congratulate Phillip E. Paeltz on his
success as a founder and the first Headmaster of Governor
French Academy; and
WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to
Edward and Nancy Paeltz; he spent his early years in Ripley,
Ohio, and moved with his family to Alton when his father was
hired by Laclede Steel; he graduated from Alton High School; he
attended Southern Illinois University, where he received both a
bachelor's degree and a master's degree; and
WHEREAS, A student of Kaid Friedel, Myron Bloom, and Ward
Fearn, Phillip Paeltz originally trained to be a French
hornist; in 1969, he graduated with a degree in music
performance and education; by the age of 19, he had performed
with the St. Louis Symphony, at the Cleveland Orchestra's
Blossom Music Festival, and with several Broadway touring
companies; he fulfilled his military service by playing in the
United States Air Force bands, including at Scott Air Force
Base; in recent years, he has played the French horn as a
volunteer with the St. Louis and the Belleville Philharmonic
orchestras and also conducted the Belleville Philharmonic; and

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WHEREAS, In 1973, Phillip Paeltz's music career was
curtailed by an illness; he then began teaching at Belleville
East High School and earned a Master's Degree in English with a
major in Theatre; he maintains that the theatre training he
received is the best preparation for anyone pursuing a teaching
career; disillusion with public school education and motivated
by his own dedication to prepare students for higher education,
he became a part of the creation of the Governor French
Academy; and
WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz was one of seven people who
organized and started the Governor French Academy; teachers at
the Academy choose to teach college-preparatory academics in
the manner and the principles utilized by successful music
conservatories; this guided practice leads to a mastery of
skills, and a mastery of skills leads to a conceptual
understanding; and
WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz attributes the success of Governor
French Academy to its "refusal to improve," referring to the
perpetual changes in educational practices in this country;
Governor French Academy has sustained itself and its students
by continuing to teach hard work, basic skills, and
perseverance; the Academy has "not improved itself" into the
position of being one of the best schools in the United States;
and

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WHEREAS, Phillip Paeltz has served as Headmaster of
Governor French Academy since 1983; he currently resides in
Lebanon with his wife, Myra Blackmon, in a house previously
owned by former Illinois Governor Augustus French; he is the
brother of Tim (Theresa) Paeltz and the uncle to Rosemary;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate Phillip E. Paeltz on his success as the founder
and first Headmaster of Governor French Academy, and we honor
his leadership; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Phillip Paeltz as an expression of our esteem and
respect.