[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5479-S5480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PROFESSOR JOE WILKINS' RETIREMENT

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Professor 
Joe Wilkins' contributions to the State of Illinois and our country.
  Professor Wilkins will retire from the University of Illinois in May 
2003. He will officially become a ``University of Illinois Professor 
Emeritus of Management'' which is an accomplishment in and of itself, 
but is only one facet of his career.
  Professor Wilkins has been a very effective teacher. He received an 
``Outstanding Teacher'' award selected by a vote of the University 
student body. His graduate course in International Business was chosen 
by students in the College of Business and Management as their most 
valuable class. Additionally, during 2002 Professor Wilkins received 
the highest evaluation of all the faculty by students in the college.
  Prior to his teaching career, Professor Wilkins served with 
distinction as a captain in the United States Air Force. While serving 
he was repeatedly decorated for heroism in combat. His many decorations 
include the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts, which were awarded for 
his twice being wounded in combat. Despite being injured in combat, he 
continues to run at least one 26.2-mile marathon a year and enjoys 
scuba diving and sky-diving.
  In addition to his teaching and service to many organizations, 
Professor Wilkins has responded for over 30 years to the needs of his 
home community--Springfield, IL. Some of the many services he has 
provided to Springfield include being a regular blood donor and

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providing flights to needy persons requiring medical assistance. He has 
donated more than 15 gallons of blood including 59 pints at the Central 
Illinois Community Blood Bank in Springfield.
  Professor Wilkins has held positions with both the State of Illinois 
and the city of Springfield. As an operations research analyst for the 
State of Illinois he helped analyze managerial operations. 
Additionally, he has served in many capacities and consulted on 
multiple issues for the city of Springfield. Most notably, in 1982 he 
took an academic leave from the university to serve for 13 months as 
Comptroller of Springfield. On numerous occasions since then he has 
provided management advice to the city of Springfield.
  Professor Wilkins has been a teacher and role model to thousands of 
undergraduate and graduate students. I am sure the University of 
Illinois will miss him greatly. Professor Wilkins has had a lifetime of 
community service in which he established a reputation of personal 
integrity and demonstrated courage. He is a distinguished citizen and 
deserves to be recognized for all of his contributions to 
society.

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