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1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3		Representatives recognize young children as one of the State's
4		most precious and valuable resources; and
5		WHEREAS, The National Association for the Education of
6		Young Children is the nation's largest early childhood
7		organization; the association seeks to serve and act on behalf
8		of the rights, needs, and well-being of all young children,
9		with a primary focus on the provision of educational and
10		developmental needs and services; and
11		WHEREAS, The Illinois Association for the Education of
12		Young Children (ILAEYC) is the State affiliate of the National
13		Association for the Education of Young Children; ILAEYC has
14		over 3,500 members and 17 local affiliate chapters around the
15		State dedicated to the same mission; and
16		WHEREAS, The National Association for the Education of
17		Young Children has designated the week of April 11-16 as the
18		Week of the Young Child; the month of April is designated as
19		Month of the Young Child in the State of Illinois; and
20		WHEREAS, The purpose of the Month of the Young Child is to
21		focus public attention on the needs of young children and their

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1		families and to recognize the individuals, early childhood
2		programs, and services that are dedicated to meeting those
3		needs; and
4		WHEREAS, There are members of the organization, such as
5		teachers, program directors, school administrators, agency
6		personnel, college faculty, and others, who continually go
7		above and beyond what is expected to see that these needs are
8		met; and
9		WHEREAS, These individuals are considered to be true
10		Children's Champions, who go further than anyone else to make a
11		positive difference to the lives of children everywhere; and
12		WHEREAS, The actions of Barbara T. Bowman of Arlington
13		Heights and Chicago, Debbie Downs of Rochester, Becky L.
14		Freehill of Bloomington, Kathy Linkus of Princeton, Candace
15		Lewis of Marion, Jeanne Mentgen of Peoria, Jill Hardwick Moore
16		of Champaign, Jackie Swango of Charleston, and Melissa Szymczak
17		of Plainfield represent shining examples of those in our
18		communities doing good things for children; these individuals
19		have been nominated by their local affiliate chapters and
20		designated by the Illinois Association for the Education of
21		Young Children as Illinois 2011 Children's Champions;
22		therefore, be it

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1		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
2		NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3		we recognize the Illinois 2011 Children's Champions and their
4		dedication, hard work, and significant contributions to the
5		State of Illinois; and be it further
6		RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
7		presented to each of the Illinois 2011 Children's Champions in
8		recognition of their efforts.