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1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives wish to congratulate journalist, columnist,
4 and historian Dave Clarke on being named the 2024 Outstanding
5 Citizen by the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club in
6 recognition of his exceptional contributions to the City of
7 Kewanee; and
8 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke's illustrious career has left an
9 indelible mark on the fabric of Kewanee, enriching the lives
10 of its residents through his insightful reporting, engaging
11 columns, and passionate dedication to preserving local
12 history; and
13 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke's commitment to community service
14 extends far beyond the realm of journalism, encompassing his
15 leadership roles in various organizations, including the Frank
16 H. Craig Wethersfield Alumni Association, the Saxon Cemetery
17 Association, and the Wethersfield FFA Alumni organization,
18 reflecting his deep-rooted connection to the social and
19 cultural fabric of Kewanee; and
20 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke's accolades and honors, including
21 being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Kewanee Rotary Club,
22 earning an Honorary State FFA Degree from the Illinois FFA,
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1 and being inducted into the Wethersfield Academic Hall of
2 Fame, underscore his exceptional achievements and the high
3 esteem in which he is held by his peers and the wider
4 community; and
5 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke's dedication to mentoring youth, his
6 involvement with organizations such as the Miss Henry County
7 Fair Pageant and the Kewanee Black Knights Junior Drum and
8 Bugle Corps, and his support for educational initiatives,
9 including the Step Ladder Tutoring Program and the Kewanee
10 FFA, exemplify his unwavering commitment to nurturing future
11 generations and fostering a sense of community pride and
12 engagement; and
13 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke's contributions to radio broadcasting
14 and print journalism and his tenure as editor of Galva News and
15 Star Courier have cemented his reputation as a consummate
16 professional and a cherished figure within the Kewanee media
17 landscape; and
18 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke's deep ties to Kewanee, stemming from
19 his upbringing on a farm south of the city and his continued
20 dedication to its betterment, have endeared him to generations
21 of residents and earned him the respect and admiration of all
22 who have had the privilege of knowing him; and
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1 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke's unwavering commitment to preserving
2 Kewanee's heritage, his willingness to share his wealth of
3 knowledge, and his personification as a beacon of inspiration
4 and leadership for the community embodies the spirit of the
5 Outstanding Citizen Award, making him a most deserving
6 recipient of this prestigious honor; and
7 WHEREAS, Dave Clarke will be honored as the 2024
8 Outstanding Citizen at the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce's
9 Outstanding Citizen Award Banquet on May 14, 2024; therefore,
10 be it
11 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
12 HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13 we congratulate Dave Clarke on being named the 2024
14 Outstanding Citizen by the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce
15 Ambassador Club, and we recognize his exceptional
16 contributions to Kewanee's cultural heritage, his journalistic
17 excellence, and his unwavering commitment to community
18 service; and be it further
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