SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) welcomed officials from Southern Illinois University to the state capitol in Springfield on Wednesday. The purpose of the visit was to highlight the previous passage of HR 297. Windhorst, who graduated from SIU School of Law in the year 2000, says he is a proud Saluki Law School Alum, and thanked SIU for changing the lives of its students for the better and for the impact that the university has on the region as a whole.
“It’s a great time to be a Saluki, with enrollment going up and the university growing and expanding opportunities for its students and the community writ large,” Windhorst said. “I am proud to welcome my law school alma mater to the people’s House to celebrate 50 years of excellence and service.”
HR 297 congratulates SIU School of Law on its 50th anniversary. SIU officials have been touring the capitol and meeting with legislators during the first week of the Fall 2023 Veto Session as part of their “Saluki Takeover” promotional effort to highlight all things Southern Illinois University to lawmakers and media outlets.
Rep. Windhorst welcomed Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations & CEO Matt Kupec, SIU School of Law Dean Camille Davidson, Director of Career Services Casey Parker, Director of External Relations Carly Holtkamp, and Director of Development Kate Hanson to House Republican Leader Tony McCombie’s office for a photograph and to the House Gallery for recognition.
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HR 297 reads:
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are proud to honor and celebrate institutions of higher education in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Since 1973, Southern Illinois University’s School of Law has been serving its students, shaping new legal minds and offering a multitude of programs for individuals seeking their juris doctorate, as well as providing multi-cultural and extracurricular activities; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law offers specializations in business and transactional law, health law, intellectual property, international and comparative law, litigation and dispute resolution, and public interest law; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law offers senior citizens legal assistance through its Civil Practice/Elderly Clinic, serving counties in Southern Illinois; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law offers legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, juveniles involved in the justice system, and veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law offers internship and externship opportunities that serve its students and the public greater good, including its judicial and public interest externships; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law has produced a multitude of great legal minds that have subsequently served the citizens of Illinois and the citizens of the United States through service in elected office; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law offers its students the opportunity to join over 20 student organizations, including the American Constitution Society, the Black Law Student Association, the Cultural Heritage Law Society, the Federalist Society, the 4th Amendment Association, the Hispanic Latinx Law Student Association, the Intellectual Property Society, the International/Immigration Law Society, the Law Democrats, the Law & Medicine Society, Law Students for Reproductive Justice, Military Law, the SIU Law Social Justice Initiative (NLG), OUTlaw, Parents Attending Law School, Phi Alpha Delta, Phi Delta Phi, the Second Amendment Association, the Sports Lawyers Association, Student Animal Legal Defense, SBA, and
the Women’s Law Forum; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law is located on the Carbondale campus and is housed in the Lesar Law Building, named for its first dean, Hiram H. Lesar; and
WHEREAS, SIU School of Law has built a strong reputation as an outstanding institution of higher learning that provides its students a collaborative, tight-knit community, which allows its students to thrive through relationship building, shared experiences, and connections that last a lifetime;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Southern Illinois University School of Law on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we wish the students, faculty, staff, and administration of SIU School of Law the very best, and we thank them for their many contributions to their students and to the greater Southern Illinois region, the State of Illinois, the United States of America, and the entire world; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to SIU School of Law in celebration of its 50th anniversary.