Introduced Version



SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___



DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION


     A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Beverly Gard upon her retirement from the Indiana Senate.


MILLER, LONG, LAWSON C, MERRITT


     , read first time and referred to Committee on





Introduced

Second Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2012)


SENATE RESOLUTION


     MADAM PRESIDENT:

    I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:

    A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Beverly Gard upon her retirement from the Indiana Senate.

    Whereas, Senator Gard has served in the Indiana Senate since 1988;

    Whereas, Prior to joining the Indiana Senate, she worked as a biochemist for Eli Lilly in Greenfield, was a stay at home mom, served as a member of the Greenfield City Council from 1976-1988, and served as vice-chair of the Hancock County Republican Party for 10 years;

    Whereas, During her tenure with the Indiana Senate, she has authored legislation that has improved the overall well- being of Indiana's environment, including legislation that has protected the Great Lakes from potential overuse; shielded children from lead poisoning and helped produce better air quality in public schools; promoted proper disposal of electronic equipment and kept tons of it away from landfills; provided incentives for electric-generating facilities to use clean coal technologies, and set forth an energy policy for Indiana to use in the future;

    Whereas, In addition to her tireless efforts to promote environmental sustainability, she also authored legislation that kept the doors of local and state government open to the public through legislation that prevents serial meetings and punishes those who would try to do the public's business in secret; protected newborns as she teamed with Senator Jim Merritt on Indiana's Safe Haven law to encourage mothers who think they cannot care for their newborns to take them to a hospital or police or fire station; and opened corn markets to new opportunities;

    Whereas, She served in many leadership roles with the National Conference of State Legislatures, including as Chairwoman of the Agriculture and Energy, and Environment Committees from 2007-2008; and vice-chair of the Environment Committee from 2005-2006 and again from 2009- 2010;

    Whereas, Senator Gard testified before the United States Senate's Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Subcommittee on Environment and Public Works in January, 2005; and she also testified at the White House in 2005;

    Whereas, As a survivor of breast cancer, Senator Gard has been vigilant in her work to improve laws relating to women's health issues;

    Whereas, During her Senate career, Senator Gard's legislative efforts have been honored numerous times by several organizations, including the Hoosier State Press Association, Indiana Library Federation, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana State Medical Association, Indiana Public Health Association, Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, and the National Federation of Independent Business;

    Whereas, She helped save the Wilbur Wright Birthplace near New Castle from being sold as private property to the highest bidder and enabled a local volunteer group to turn the

facility into a first-rate tourist attraction, complete with a museum and a replica of the Wright Flyer;

    Whereas, As an avid bird watcher, Senator Gard helped make her hobby a more enjoyable one for her and many others in East Central Indiana by assisting in the effort to make Summit Lake in Henry County become Indiana's nineteenth state park. Since the facility became a state park, a wide variety of birds have been spotted there _ including our nation's bird, the bald eagle; and

    Whereas, In honor of Senator Gard's hard work, dedication, and exhaustive efforts to serve her constituents, the members of the Indiana Senate recognize Senator Gard and wish her the best in all of her future endeavors: Therefore,

                

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:


    SECTION 1. That on behalf of all Hoosiers, we hereby extend our sincerest appreciation to Senator Beverly Gard for her dedicated service to the Indiana Senate and the citizens of Indiana.     SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Senator Gard and her family.