Bill Text: IL HR0814 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Lou Henson on his induction into the 2017 Illinois Department on Aging Senior Illinoisans Senior Hall of Fame.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2018-02-13 - Resolution Adopted [HR0814 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR0814-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to Congratulate Lou Henson on his
induction into the 2017 Illinois Department on Aging Senior
Illinoisans Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Lou Henson spent over 41 years motivating young
adults in academics and competitive excellence; he took over
the basketball program at the University of Illinois in 1975;
and
WHEREAS, Lou Henson led the Fighting Illini to 12 NCAA
tournament appearances, including the 1989 Final Four; his
overall career record stands at 779-442, which ranks him at 11
on the all-time winning coaches list; he has coached 12 players
who have gone on to NBA careers; he retired from the University
of Illinois in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Among his many accomplishments at the University
of Illinois, Lou Henson was known for founding the
nationally-known Orange Krush student organization, which he
began in his living room in an effort to increase student
involvement with the basketball program; the Orange Krush has
transformed into a major supporter of community charitable
donations; he also started the Rebounders Club as a booster

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club for Fighting Illini men's basketball, and it provides
annually to charitable causes and the University of Illinois
basketball team; the Lou Henson National Player of the Year
Award was also created in his honor and is presented annually
to the top mid-major player in Division I college basketball;
and
WHEREAS, Lou Henson has been involved with many charitable
organizations; while in New Mexico, he and his wife started the
Lou and Mary Henson Annual Community Breakfast and Reception,
an annual fundraising event that benefits the Las Cruces Boys
and Girls Club; a sport celebrity is brought in each year as a
guest motivational speaker; when he moved to Champaign-Urbana,
he became involved with the Don Moyers Boys and Girls Club; in
2002, the Henson family helped establish the Lou and Mary
Henson Endowment Scholarship Fund in memory of their late son;
the fund is designed to support deserving athletes for their
academic and athletic achievements; he has also donated dozens
of his trademark orange blazers to different charities, which
resulted in thousands of dollars being raised for different
causes; he has been an active participant, contributor, and
supporter of the American Cancer Society's "Coaches vs. Cancer"
campaign since its inception in 1993; nationwide, Coaches vs.
Cancer has raised over $100 million for cancer research; yet
the greatest of his accomplishments is the influence he has had
in guiding young men through adversity and giving them coping

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skills to learn and grow and face the challenges of life; and
WHEREAS, Lou Henson has made a significant impact with his
efforts to improve the lives of so many; his contributions
reflect the principles of respecting yesterday, supporting
today, and hoping for tomorrow; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
congratulate Lou Henson on his induction into the 2017 Senior
Illinoisans Hall of Fame, and we commend him for the meaningful
contributions he has made to higher education; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Lou Henson as an expression of our esteem and
respect.