Recognizing Robert ``bob'' P. Hubbard As Batavia's 2024 Citizen of the Year

Floor Speech

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Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert ``Bob'' P. Hubbard for receiving the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award in the City of Batavia. The Citizen of the Year Award celebrates individuals who have made a profound impact towards inspiring and uplifting the City of Batavia.

As a native Batavian, Bob has lived a life rooted in the values of compassion, civic engagement, and integrity. His contributions have touched nearly every corner of the Batavia community and continue to uplift countless lives.

Bob is a driving force behind the recruiting and funding work for the INCubator Entrepreneurship Program. Since 2015, he has recruited and coordinated dozens of volunteer mentors, coaches, and judges, providing over 500 students with meaningful real-world business experience. Through his leadership, the program has raised more than $80,000 and secured $100,000 in grants, helping to build a lasting foundation for future innovation.

As a longtime CASA Kane County volunteer, he has dedicated his efforts to protecting the community's most vulnerable, serving as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian Ad Litem. In these roles, he has been a steadfast voice for children in abuse and neglect cases, offering critical guidance and advocacy. He has also provided leadership to numerous community organizations, including TriCity Family Services, the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, and the Batavia Community Chest. Notably, his tenure with the Rotary Club of Batavia has spanned nearly four decades and includes service as club president, recognition as Rotarian of the Year, and multiple Paul Harris Fellow honors.

Beyond formal roles, Bob embodies the essence of ``Service Above Self.'' Whether he's packing food for the Northern Illinois Food Bank, supporting families through CHIP IN Batavia, participating in roadside cleanups, or doing yard work for neighbors in need, Bob is always the first to volunteer.

He is also a steward of Batavia's legacy. As the third-generation owner of Hubbard's Home Furnishings, his family's business served the community for over 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent such an extraordinary citizen of Batavia, Illinois, who exemplifies what it means to be a good neighbor and a true public servant. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Robert ``Bob'' P. Hubbard for his remarkable lifetime of service and congratulating him on being named the 2024 Citizen of the Year.

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