Inaugural Gala 2001: Outstanding Illinoisans

2001 marked the 2nd Anniversary of the Outstanding Illinoisan Awards presented to individuals from Illinois who displayed outstanding life-long services in the following areas: Arts and Entertainment; Business; Literature and Journalism; Military Service; Public Service; Non-Profit Service; Science and Technology; and Sports. Below are those honored in 2001 along with their achievement that earned them this mark of distinction.

Outstanding Illinoisans with former Illinois Governor the Hon. George H. Ryan. Left to Right: Major General Rodney P. Kelly, Ernie Banks, The Hon. Donald F. McHenry, Bruce DuMont, the Hon. George H. Ryan, Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, Captain Eugene Cernan, Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, Georgie Anne Geyer and Steve Allen, Jr.

Steve Allen -- Actor/Singer/Composer

Steve Allen, the son of two vaudeville comedians and a graduate of Hyde Park High School in Chicago, has been called "the most talented man in America." After being released from military service in 1943, Allen moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he started his career in entertainment working for Radio station KOY. He burst onto the national scene in the 1950's as the first host of "The Tonight Show," which was followed by his prime-time comedy program, "The Steve Allen Show."

His proudest TV accomplishment, however, was his award-winning 1970's PBS series "Meeting of the Minds," in which he moderated a panel of actors impersonating historic figures like Galileo and Charles Darwin. In recognition of his many television accomplishments, Allen was later inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame. His accomplishments went well beyond television however. He also starred in several feature films, including the 1956 movie, "The Benny Goodman Story," and acted in numerous Broadway plays and soap operas throughout his nearly 60-year career. In addition, Allen is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most prolific song writer and composer in history, with more than 7,400 titles, including, "The Start of Something Big," "Picnic," and "Impossible."

Allen also wrote the score for several Broadway musicals, as well as the stirring drama "Irish Wake," which won an L.A. drama critics' nomination as the best play of 1977. Allen made over 50 albums/CDs, wrote newspaper columns, and stayed active right up until his death in 2000. He is survived by his wife, actress Jane Meadows, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Allen will be warmly remembered, especially by Illinoisans, and we proudly honor him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2001 Illinois Presidential Inaugural Gala. Accepting the award was his son, Steve Allen, Jr.

The Hon. J. Dennis Hastert -- Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives

A native of Illinois, The Hon. J. Dennis Hastert was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. He represents Illinois' l4th District, an area west of Chicago that boasts high-tech firms, industrial complexes and expansive farm land. On January 6, 1999, Rep. Hastert was elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to his election as Speaker, Hastert served as Chief Deputy Whip, a leadership position he had held since the 104th Congress.

Throughout his tenure in the U.S. House, Hastert has worked to balance the budget, improve the nation's health care system, and to ensure that every child receives a quality education. In the years preceding his election to Congress, Hastert served three terms in the Illinois General Assembly, where he spearheaded legislation on child abuse prevention, property tax reform, educational excellence and economic development. He also spent sixteen years as a high school teacher and wrestling coach. Speaker Hastert is a graduate of Wheaton College and earned his master's degree from Northern Illinois University at DeKalb. He is a past president of the Illinois State Society.

Ernie "Mr.Cub" Banks -- Former Chicago Cubs, Baseball Hall of Fame Member

Known affectionately to his fans as "Mr. Cub," Ernie Banks is truly an American legend. Mr. Banks delighted and inspired baseball fans for nearly two decades. From 1955 to 1960, he hit more home runs than anyone in the majors had before him and was the National League's Most Valuable Player two consecutive years (1958-1959). After a memorable career playing shortstop and first base for the Chicago Cubs, Mr. Banks retired in 1971 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. He was the first Cub player in history to have his number retired.

Mr. Banks is also active in a variety of activities off the field. He is the founder and chairman of the board of the Ernie Banks Live Above and Beyond Foundation. The foundation provides educational scholarships and promotes social welfare through programs that eliminate prejudice and discrimination among various age groups and races. Mr. Banks is also the chief executive officer of Let's Play Two!, an events marketing company.

Captain Eugene A. Cernan, USN --
Apollo Astronaut and Last Man to Walk on the Moon

Born in Chicago and raised in the suburb of Bellwood, Captain Cernan began his service to the United States as a Navy ROTC student. Upon graduating from college, Captain Cernan began active duty in USN where he soon earned his wings and became an attack pilot. In 1963, he was accepted into the astronaut program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Captain Cernan participated in three separate NASA flights. He was the second American to walk in space in the 1966 Gemini 9 mission. During the 1969 Apollo 10 mission, Cernan descended within 10 miles of the lunar surface.

In December 1972, he landed on the moon as the commander of Apollo 17. After the Apollo 17 mission, Cernan became involved with the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, a joint U.S. and Soviet Union venture. In 1976, Cernan resigned from NASA and the Navy to join Coral Petroleum, Inc. as executive vice-president. He left Coral Petroleum to become president of the Cernan Corporation; a space-related technology and marketing consulting firm. Today, he serves as an executive consultant to SpaceHab, which has responsibilities to the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and future space programs.

Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin -- Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives

A native of Chicago's northwest side, Fr. Daniel P. Coughlin, is the first Catholic priest to be named chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives. Fr. Coughlin, who was ordained a priest on May 3, I960, served as the Vicar for Priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago from 1995 to 2000. The Vicar for Priests assists active priests of the Archdiocese with their spiritual, professional and personal needs. Prior to that position, Fr. Coughlin served as director of the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, IL. Also, he has been pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, LaGrange, IL; director of the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship; associate pastor of Holy Name Cathedral; and associate pastor of St. Raymond Parish.

He took a one-year sabbatical in 1984-1985 to study east-west religions, serve with missionaries in India and teach at the North American College in Vatican City. Fr. Coughlin attended St. Mary of the Lake University, Mundelein, IL, where he received a degree in Sacred Theology. He also holds a degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago.

Bruce DuMont --
Founder and President of the Museum of Broadcasting Communications

As host of Beyond the Beltway, Bruce DuMont is heard from coast to coast every Sunday night on more than 60 of America's major radio stations. The television version of the program which airs weekly in the Chicago area offers a thoroughly balanced analysis of national affairs. DuMont also anchors Illinois Lawmakers, a television series exploring the Illinois General Assembly, now in its 18th season on public television stations throughout Illinois.

In addition to his work as a highly respected political analyst, DuMont is also an active civic leader. He is Founder and President of The Museum of Broadcast Communications, one of only two broadcast museums in the United States. The Museum includes America's only Radio Hall of Fame, which DuMont brought to Chicago in 1991. In 1999, DuMont was recognized for his significant contributions to Chicago television and was inducted into the coveted Silver Circle by the Chicago Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

In 1994, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater, Columbia College/Chicago. In 1989, he was recognized by the Chicago Sun-Times as one of Chicago's most influential television leaders of the 1980s. DuMont serves on the National Advisory Board for Northwestern University's School of Speech and on the Executive Committee of the Harris School Council on Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

Georgie Anne Geyer -- Author, Journalist and Syndicated Columnist

For more than 30 years, Georgie Anne Geyer has delivered distinctive foreign commentary from an impressive variety of foreign fronts. A native of the southwest side of Chicago, Geyer is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. Upon graduation she accepted a Fulbright Scholarship to study modern history in Vienna. She then worked as a reporter for Chicago's Southtown Economist, before joining the Chicago Daily News. She was a correspondent in Latin America and foreign correspondent for the Chicago newspaper before going on to the Los Angeles Times as a syndicated columnist on international, domestic and women's affairs.

Based in Washington D.C., she is the author of books on Latin America, Russia, and the Middle East; and a commentator on public television's "Washington Week in Review" and the "Voice of America." Her interview fist includes Fidel Castro, Juan Peron, Ayatollah Khomeini, Saddam Hussein, Yassar Arafat, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. Geyer was inducted into the Gridiron Club, the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame, and the Society of Professional Journalists and will be inducted into the Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame .in June, 2001. She is a recipient of the Northwestern University Alumni Award and holds twenty-one honorary degrees from various learning institutions across the county including Northwestern University, Lake Forest College and Loyola University.Ý A television program based on her biography of Fidel Castro premiered on Showtime in April 2001.

Major General Rodney P. Kelly --
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, USAF

A native of southern Illinois, Major General Rodney P. Kelly is the assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and programs for the United States Air Force in Washington, DC. He is responsible for planning and programming, and for manpower activities within the corporate Air Force. In this capacity, Maj. Gen. Kelly develops, integrates and analyzes long-range and strategic plans, the $450 billion Future Year Defense Program, manpower and organizational requirements, and management innovation to support national security objectives and military strategy.

The general was commissioned lieutenant after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1967 at Southern Illinois University. He is a command and combat pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours. Before assuming his current position, he directed operations at Headquarters U.S. Space Command. Maj. Gen. Kelly has received several awards and decorations for his outstanding service to the United States. These honors include: the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Medal; and the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.

Donald F. McHenry -- Former Ambassador to the United Nations

Donald F. McHenry served as Ambassador and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations from September 1979 until January 20, 1981. As chief United States representative to the United Nations, he also served as a member of President Carter's Cabinet. At the time of his appointment, Ambassador McHenry was Ambassador and U.S. Deputy Representative to the U.N. Security Council, a position to which he was appointed in March 1977.

Ambassador McHenry is currently University Research Professor of Diplomacy and International Affairs at Georgetown. University and President of the IRC Group, an international consulting firm. He has studied, taught and worked primarily in the fields of foreign policy and international law. He joined the U.S. Department of State in 1963 and served eight years in various positions related to U.S. foreign policy. In 1966, he received the State Department's Superior Honor Award. Ambassador McHenry has taught at Southern Illinois, Howard, American and Georgetown Universities. He is the author of Micronesia: Trust Betrayed (Carnegie Endowment, 1975) and numerous articles published in professional journals and newspapers. Ambassador McHenry serves on the Board of Directors of the International Paper Company, the Coca-Cola Company, BankBoston, SmithKline Beecham, AT&T, and several non-profit organizations. He grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois and is a graduate of Illinois State University. He received a master's degree from Southern Illinois University with majors in International Affairs and in Rhetoric and Public Address.

Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, USAF -- Women in US Military Memorial

A native of Illinois, Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, USAF, Retired, was the Air Force's first female general. She is also the first Air Force woman graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. During her distinctive military career, General Vaught held various positions in the comptroller field at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Zaragoza AFB, Spain; McCoy AFB, Orlando, Florida; Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Saigon, Vietnam; Air Force Logistics Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Daytona, Ohio; the Air Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, DC; and she was Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller, Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB, Maryland. From 1983 to 1985, General Vaught served as Chairperson of the NATO women in the Allied Forces Committee and was the senior woman military representative to the Defense Department.

Her last military assignment was as Commander, U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, North Chicago, Illinois, where she served from June 1982, until her retirement in August, 1985. Her numerous military decorations and awards include both the Defense and Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, Air Force Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. General Vaught currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Sponsors of the 2001 Gala:

Platinum Circle
Motorola

Gold Circle
State Farm Insurance Companies
United Airlines

Silver Circle
Caterpillar Corporation
ComEd

Bronze Circle
Bank One Corporation
Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railway
Monsanto Company

Copper Circle
American Airlines
AmerenCIPS
American Plastic Council
APCO Associates
Dominick's -- A Safeway Company
The Eli's Cheesecake Company
Goldberg, Kohn, Black, Rosenbloom and Moritz
Illinois Took Works, Inc.
IMC Global
International Truck and Engine Corporation
Peoples Energy Corporation
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Universities Research Association, Inc./Fermi Lab

Brass Circle
Allstate Insurance Co.
Ariel Capital Management
Hamilton Sunstrand
INNdependent Management Group
Nalco Chemical Company
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Reed, Smith, Shaw and McClay