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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Reverend Silas Johnson on 
435 years as pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in 
5Springfield; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson is a native of Macon, Mississippi and 
7has lived in Springfield for many years; he graduated from 
8Noxubee County High School in Macon and attended Lincoln Land 
9Community College  and the United Theological Seminary, where he 
10earned his Bachelor of Theology in Religious Studies; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson was ordained at the age of 25,  and 
12his service to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, the 
13Springfield religious community, and the community-at-large is 
14extensive; he has taught Sunday school, directed several 
15ministries, and served on task forces; he is a member of the 
16NAACP; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson is the visionary behind Nehemiah 
18Expansion, Inc., a not-for-profit outreach ministry that 
19includes Nehemiah Affordable Housing, which has built over 80 
20houses on the eastside of Springfield, and the Nehemiah Child 
21Development Center, which provides high quality daycare at 
22three locations; he also helps operate a technology center 
 
 
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1through Calvary in collaboration with the Springfield Housing 
2Authority to help residents who are interested in finding 
3employment or gaining academic advancement learn important 
4technological and computer skills; and
 
5    WHEREAS, This year, Rev. Johnson is also helping Calvary 
6Missionary Baptist Church celebrate the 100th anniversary of 
7its founding; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson is a certified electrician and 
9retired in July of 2010 from a long career with City Water, 
10Light and Power; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson and his wife, Loretta, are the 
12parents of  three children together, Isaiah, Samuel LeJuane, and 
13Silas Adrian II; therefore, be it
  
 
  
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
15HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
16we congratulate Reverend Silas Johnson on 35 years as pastor of 
17Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and wish him many more 
18wonderful years; and be it further
  
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to Rev. Johnson as a symbol of our respect and 
21esteem.