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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Reverend John P.
4Smyth on the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the
5priesthood; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Father John P. Smyth, President of Notre Dame
7College Prep in Niles, will be celebrating the 50th anniversary
8of his ordination to the priesthood on April 28, 2012; Father
9Smyth was the Executive Director of Maryville Academy, the
10"City of Youth" in Des Plaines for 40 years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Father Smyth has significantly impacted the lives
12of thousands of girls and boys in the greater Chicagoland area
13for more than 4 decades; recognized nationally as well as
14locally for innovative and creative strategies in caring for
15youth at risk, his "family model" for residential living became
16the template for orphanages and child-care institutions
17world-wide; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Father Smyth was a pioneer in fund-raising and
19development efforts; his annual production of the "Chuck Wagon"
20weekends on Maryville's grounds united union leaders, major
21league athletes, politicians, and thousands of regular folks in
22the common cause of helping needy kids; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, His tireless energy was demonstrated early in his
2commitment to athletics; he was a 3-sport high school star at
3DePaul Academy and was a distinguished scholar-athlete at the
4University of Notre Dame; evaluated at a skill level similar to
5Wilt Chamberlain, he was offered a playing position for the
6National Basketball Association upon graduating from Notre
7Dame in 1957; and
 
8    WHEREAS, He not only distinguished himself on the athletic
9fields at the University of Notre Dame, but also holds the
10highest Catholic service award in the United States from Notre
11Dame, the Laetare Medal; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Choosing instead to enter the Archdiocese of
13Chicago Seminary at Mundelein, Father Smyth was ordained on
14April 28, 1962; his only priestly assignment, before the
15presidency at Notre Dame College Prep, was at Maryville
16Academy; his ministry was so critical to the Church, and to the
17State of Illinois, that none of the 4 Cardinals he served under
18would allow him to transfer; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The Executive Board at Notre Dame College Prep
20offered the presidency to Father Smyth early in 2007; on April
211, 2012, Father Smyth completed the fifth year of his term;
22under his direction, enrollment has increased, there have been

 

 

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1enhancements made on the physical plant, and new enthusiasm has
2been generated; currently, 805 young men make up the student
3body; major renovations in a number of areas have preceded the
4ground-breaking for a new educational building, now in the
5planning stages; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Notre Dame College Prep is hosting an anniversary
7Mass at school on Friday, April 27, 2012; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
9NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
10we congratulate Reverend John P. Smyth on the 50th anniversary
11of his ordination to the priesthood and wish him continued good
12health and happiness for years to come; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to Reverend John P. Smyth as a symbol of our respect
15and esteem.