Bill Text: IL HR0657 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honors Shorty Mills for his many accomplishments and thanks him for his service to his community.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-11-29 - Resolution Adopted [HR0657 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0657-Introduced.html

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HR0657 LRB097 14769 GRL 59794 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are pleased to honor Shorty Mills for his many
accomplishments and thank him for his service to his community;
and
WHEREAS, Shorty Mills was born Vincent Mills on February
19, 1943, at the Illinois Research Hospital; his parents are
Ruby and Charles Mills; a fatal accident took the life of
Shorty's father when he was 3 years old; his mother then raised
6 boys alone; and
WHEREAS, Shorty Mills is one of the most respected living
martial art instructors in the world; his martial arts career
began in 1956, at the age of 14; since that time, he has
amassed the following credentials: 10th Degree Black Belt in
Pagoda Ryu (1996); Founder of the Pagoda Ryu Martial Arts
System, which was tested and certified as a viable system of
martial arts in 1996 by the world Martial Arts Federation and
the Midwest United Martial Arts Association; 10th Degree Black
Belt in Shuri Ryu (1996); 10th Degree Black Belt in Moo Do Kwon
Tae Kwon Do (1993); 6th Degree Black Belt in Aikido from the
Yoshinkai System of Aikido (1985); 5th Degree Black Belt in
Kendo (1980); he is also a licensed airplane pilot (instrument
rated), a certified diver (multi-ratings), a licensed

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electrical engineer and electrical contractor, and a member of
the Rotary Club and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Shorty Mills attended and graduated from Chicago
Vocational High School; he subsequently earned his bachelor's
degree in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of
Technology in 1964, his master's degree in operations research
from Roosevelt University in 1982, his master's degree in urban
development/city planning from Northwestern University in
1985, and his Ph.D. in martial science from the University of
Connecticut in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Shorty Mills joined the United States Navy in
1964; in 1965, he was admitted into the United States Navy
Officers Candidate School; in 1968, he served in Vietnam for a
total of 26 months; after completing his two 13-month tours in
Vietnam, he was stationed aboard the USS Sylvania for a year;
he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Shorty Mills played professional basketball in
Italy in 1969 until an injury forced him to leave the game; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Shorty Mills met the love of his life; in
1995, he married Pamela Annette Mills; together, they have 2
beautiful daughters, Christina and Tiffanie; in 1997, Shorty
moved his family to Dynasty Lakes in Hazel Crest; and

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WHEREAS, Shorty Mills' devotion to his art has extended
into volunteering for various community events; he has
developed self defense training programs for the Cook County
Sheriff's Court Services Department; he has developed and
taught rape prevention seminars for the Cook County Sheriff's
Department and the Chicago Police Department; he also helps
underprivileged children in becoming the best they can be
through his non-profit organization, Pagoda Ryu System;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we honor Shorty Mills for his many accomplishments and thank
him for his service to his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Shorty Mills as a symbol of our esteem and
respect.