RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2010
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RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing Harold “Hal” G. Downs’ forty years of service to the District and congratulating Hal on his well-earned retirement
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WHEREAS, Harold “Hal” G. Downs has been an employee of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago since 1970, serving as both Assistant Treasurer and most recently as Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, Hal has announced his retirement from service with the District as of December 30, 2010; and
WHEREAS, from his earliest years at the District, Hal has displayed the personal qualities of remarkable self-motivation and enthusiasm for his work that were to become the hallmarks of a lifetime of exceptional service; and
WHEREAS, during his career with the District, the leadership skills and administrative expertise exhibited by Hal have contributed to the District’s standing as an acknowledged leader in the wastewater treatment industry and among local governmental agencies while earning him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and supervisors as a dedicated public servant whose priority was to promote the most fiscally sound policies for the District; and
WHEREAS, Hal has participated in and contributed to the Government Finance Officers Association since 1982; and
WHEREAS, prior to his service at the District, Hal was a professional with Brunswick Corporation and Allied Radio Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Hal is a distinguished alumnus of the Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University, where he received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (1974), and the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree (1957); and
WHEREAS, additionally, Hal served his country proudly with the United States Army Corp of Engineers in Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia ; and
WHEREAS, he is also a dedicated and long-time member of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, an autonomous and independent organization, incorporated in the United States, which seeks to emulate the chivalric and charity traditions of the original Templars; and
WHEREAS, Hal has been instrumental in bringing to fruition myriad innovative ideas and numerous successful programs over the years, ensuring that the District consistently remains a progressive and respected leader in the wastewater treatment industry, and earning AAA (Aaa) ratings for the District from the three major rating agencies; and
WHEREAS, Hal possesses the qualities of professionalism, strong work ethic, superior intellect, and dedication to bringing about positive changes and advancements in the field of public finance, all of which have been recognized and deeply appreciated by his staff, District colleagues, and professional contemporaries, and have endeared him to the Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners and staff of the District extend their heartfelt wishes for as much success in his retirement as Hal has enjoyed throughout his career and extend our sincere gratitude to Hal’s family, including his lovely wife Lois; his beloved children William, Susan, Andrew, Harold, and Melinda; his precious grandchildren Ashley, William, Harrison, Elizabeth, Harold, Christina, and Katie; and his adored great-grandchildren Hali, Luci, and Nicholas, for allowing the District to take advantage of Hal’s outstanding commitment and unparalleled talents for the benefit of all residents of the District; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby recognize Harold “Hal” G. Downs’s dedicated service for forty years as Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and express our gratitude and appreciation for his work on behalf of the taxpayers of the District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Hal Downs.
Dated: December 16, 2010
Approved: TERRENCE J. O’BRIEN, President; KATHLEEN THERESE MEANY, Vice-President; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS, Acting Chairman, Committee on Finance; MICHAEL ALVAREZ; FRANK AVILA; PATRICIA HORTON; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN: DEBRA SHORE; MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Alan J. Cook, Acting General Counsel