HR0814 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0814 LRB100 20392 ALS 35704 r

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 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 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.