HR1469 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1469 LRB099 23906 GRL 51443 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate William "Bill" McCartney on the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association; and

WHEREAS, William McCartney is a lifelong resident of Illinois and has contributed innumerable hours and in countless ways to enhance the quality of life for people in our State, especially in and around his beloved hometown of Pittsfield; and

WHEREAS, William McCartney graduated from Argenta High School in 1955 and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1960 with a degree in agriculture; his involvement in soil and water conservation and the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association were natural outlets for his concern for preserving and protecting natural resources and for responsibly enjoying the delicious fruit which Illinois soil can produce; and

WHEREAS, William McCartney was chosen by his colleagues, peers, and employers for leadership positions in the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service and various resource conservation and development programs in numerous counties in western Illinois; he was later selected as Executive Director of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, where he has been at the forefront of the first significant and successful efforts to partner with the State and provide resources to the industry which has helped grow the wine business in Illinois from a few isolated wineries and growers in the mid-1980s; now, over 100 wineries and hundreds of acres of grapes are thriving in Illinois from border to border and river to river; and

WHEREAS, William McCartney has been fortunate to raise four adult children, Martin Sean McCartney (deceased), Jeffery Scott McCartney, Leslie McCartney Ivers, and David William McCartney, and has been a cherished companion of his wife Phyllis; and

WHEREAS, William McCartney has found time to be a dependable and valuable member of the Pittsfield Masonic Lodge, the Pike County Shrine Club, the Loyal Order of the Moose in Pittsfield, and many other volunteer and community organizations which have benefitted from his involvement; and

WHEREAS, William McCartney retired from the day-to-day operations of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, but remains a valuable resource for members of the industry and members of the Illinois General Assembly alike; and

WHEREAS, William McCartney's retirement gives him more opportunities to play golf and enjoy a good glass of Illinois wine; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate William "Bill" McCartney on the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association and thank him for his devoted service to his community, his State, and his nation and for playing such a key role in the development of this vital Illinois industry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be provided to Bill McCartney, his family, and the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association so that his contributions may be forever remembered.