HR0580 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0580 LRB094 12954 HSS 47802 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A 75th birthday celebration is being held in honor of Dr. LouDella Evans Reid; a luncheon is set for Saturday, July 30, 2005, and a Birthday Musical Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, July 31, 2005, which will include a performance by the Homecoming Reunion Choir consisting of current and former Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church choir members; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Reid has a national reputation as one of the most outstanding ministers of music; her unique style of directing is majestic as well as powerful and has enhanced the services of her church, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, for almost 55 years; and

WHEREAS, She was the only woman among the five charter members of her church, where her brother, the Reverend Clay Evans, is the founder and senior pastor; she created the church's first choir, served as its first pianist, and was appointed Minister of Music in 1963, during a time in which it was unusual for women to hold such a position; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Reid is noted for arranging songs that have been featured in musical recordings, including "New Name in Glory" and "Bringing in the Sheaves", as well as for her moving renditions of hymns such as "It is Well", "Even Me", "More Love to Thee", and "Close to Thee"; her musical talents have been showcased in many arenas, including in over 30 musical releases of the Reverend Clay Evans and the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Choir, recordings of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., and numerous choral concerts across the nation and throughout Europe; and

WHEREAS, She currently holds the titles of Minister of Music Emeritus at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and Music Advisor for the mass choirs of First Church of Deliverance; she also serves as a musical consultant for church choirs and music groups throughout the Chicagoland area; in May of 2000, she received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Arkansas Baptist College; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. LouDella Evans Reid on the occasion of her 75th birthday celebration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Reid as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for many more happy years.