HR0454LRB102 20060 LAW 28903 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Saint Xavier University 
4on the occasion of its 175th anniversary; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Saint Xavier University has been transforming 
6lives through education since five Sisters of Mercy arrived in 
7Chicago and opened the Saint Francis Xavier Female Academy of 
8Chicago in 1846; the academy was named in honor of Sisters of 
9Mercy leader Mother Frances Xavier Warde and the name of her 
10patron, St. Francis Xavier; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Saint Xavier University has shown marked 
12resilience since opening, from surviving the destruction 
13caused by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 to navigating more 
14recent challenges posed in the higher education landscape; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Saint Xavier University has grown in numerous 
16ways, including adding new buildings and programs, collecting 
17academic and athletic accolades, and serving a student body of 
18undergraduate and graduate students that continues to grow, 
19with enrollment consistently surpassing the previous year; the 
20university is marking its anniversary by welcoming the largest 
21freshman class in its history in 2021; and
  
 
 
 
HR0454- 2 -LRB102 20060 LAW 28903 r

1    WHEREAS, Saint Xavier University was the first Catholic 
2university in Chicago and the first Mercy institution of 
3higher learning in the world; the university is a vital part of 
4Illinois history and has served many families from the Oak 
5Lawn area; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Saint Xavier University will celebrate its 175th 
7anniversary with a special Spirit of Mercy Day on September 
823, 2021, followed by a Student Leader Commissioning, an art 
9gallery exhibit, and Homecoming celebrations; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
11HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
12we congratulate Saint Xavier University on its 175th 
13anniversary and wish the university continued success; and be 
14it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to Saint Xavier University President Laurie M. 
17Joyner, Ph.D., as an expression of our esteem and respect.