Bill Text: IL HR0630 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizes Coach Tom Padjen on his successful 40-year tenure with Thornton Fractional South High School and the history of the Padjen family with the school's football program.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-24 - Resolution Adopted [HR0630 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR0630-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are pleased to recognize Thomas C. "Tom" Padjen
on the culmination of a successful 40-year tenure as head
football coach at Thornton Fractional (T.F.) South High School
in 2016; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen graduated from T.F. South Class
in 1968; he returned in 1973 as a physical education teacher,
special education teacher, division leader, and coach; he
became head coach in 1977; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen's teams made the Illinois High
School Association playoffs 21 times, including 19 of his last
24 seasons; he advanced to the state semifinals twice, in 1994
and 2004; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen has mentored numerous successful
college athletes and four NFL players, including Dave Smith, a
member of the Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl 23 team and Pierre
Thomas, a member of the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl 44
Champions; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen was inducted into the Illinois
High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014; and

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WHEREAS, The Thornton Fractional Township High School
District 215 Board of Education renamed the South Campus
football field, "Padjen Field", effective October 13, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen's brother, Robert "Bob" Padjen,
came to T.F. South in the fall of 1993 and served as the
defensive coordinator under Tom for 25 seasons; Robert's
arrival at T.F. South marked the Rebels ascension into a
perennial south suburban football power; he was inducted into
the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014;
and
WHEREAS, In January of 2017, Coach Bob Padjen took over as
only the fifth head coach in T.F. South history; and
WHEREAS, Jim Padjen, Class of 1962; Tom Padjen, Class of
1968; John Padjen, Class of 1972; Bill Padjen, Class of 1976;
Bob Padjen, Class of 1977; Mark Padjen, Class of 1998; Peyton
Padjen, Class of 2012; and Reis Padjen, Class of 2016 have all
graced the gridiron for the Rebels; and
WHEREAS, In all, during the 59 seasons in which T.F. South
has participated in competitive football, there has been a
member of the Padjen family either playing or coaching in every
one of those 59 years; therefore, be it

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RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
recognize Coach Tom Padjen on his successful 40-year tenure
with Thornton Fractional South High School and the history of
the Padjen family with the school's football program; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That we wish Coach Bob Padjen the best of luck as
he leads the Rebels into the future; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
presented to Coach Tom Padjen, Coach Bob Padjen, and Thornton
Fractional South High School.