HR0493 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0493 LRB095 12360 KXB 37210 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Village of West Salem will take place June 29 through July 1, 2007; and

WHEREAS, The Village was officially incorporated by the State of Illinois on February 8, 1857; West Salem, population 1100, is located in northern Edwards County in southeastern Illinois; West Salem is home to the only Moravian Church in Illinois, as well as being the birthplace of Champion Laboratories, founded in the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, In 1814, Edwards County stretched all the way to Canada and today is the second smallest county in the State; the first settlers arrived in the area around 1820, and others continued to make northern Edwards County their home; in the fall of 1830, a small group of settlers arrived from Davidson, North Carolina; among them was Peter Hinkle, a Moravian blacksmith, who arrived in a two-horse wagon with just $10 in his pocket; on May 25, 1844, his barn was the site of the first Moravian Church service; most of the charter members had come from Salem, North Carolina and the new settlement was called New Salem; and

WHEREAS, Since the settlers had come west from Salem, North Carolina, the name was changed to West Salem in deference to the other New Salem in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, From the early beginnings of the Moravian settlers, a thriving town soon developed; the residents found success through a healthy mix of agriculture and business; and

WHEREAS, Today, the village square stands as a beautiful reminder of what has been, as well as what is yet to come; the residents of West Salem have proven to be resilient, and hope and optimism are in abundant supply as they continuously strive to improve themselves and their community; and

WHEREAS, West Salem is taking pride in "Honoring the Past, Appreciating the Present, and Planning for the Future"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the citizens of the Village of West Salem as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of their community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the mayor of the Village of West Salem as a symbol of our respect and esteem.