HR0926 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0926 LRB102 28186 LAW 39994 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the General John Stark Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution on the occasion of the 115th anniversary of its charter in June 2022; and

WHEREAS, The General John Stark Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized when 29 charter members met at the home of Lucetta P. (Stark) Boynton, wife of Charles O. Boynton, in Sycamore on June 22, 1907; the chapter was named for General John Stark, a leader during the American Revolutionary War who commanded 75 percent of the American forces at Bunker Hill and also led at the Battle of Bennington; and

WHEREAS, The first regent of the General John Stark Chapter was Lucetta Boynton, appointed by the state regent of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; the chapter additionally elected Mrs. Clare Lattin as vice regent, Miss Harriet Stephenson as corresponding secretary, Miss Fannie Harroun as recording secretary, Miss Grace Stevens as treasurer, Mrs. Gerry Knowlton as registrar, Mrs. C.D. Rogers as historian, and Mrs. C.H. Hoyt as chaplain; and

WHEREAS, The General John Stark Chapter donates to a number of organizations and individuals each year, including bestowing thousands of dollars annually to area students through the Good Citizen Award, the American History Essay Contest, and the Lois Callahan Scholarship; the chapter donates to Bacone College and other Native American schools of higher education; the organization contributes books to area libraries and the DAR Library and encourages literacy promotion through summer reading programs at local libraries and participating in the A Book by Me program; the chapter has additionally given copies of the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence to area schools; and

WHEREAS, The General John Stark Chapter recognizes the value and contributions made by others; in DeKalb County alone, the chapter marked the site with a bronze plaque where Abraham Lincoln spoke in Coltonville and where the first DeKalb county court was held, donated a bench with a plaque to the DeKalb County History Center to commemorate the Illinois Bicentennial, bestowed a plaque to memorialize the site of the first white settler's cabin in the county, and planted trees in Sycamore Park in memory of World War I soldiers and sailors; the chapter recognized Resource Bank with the Historical Preservation Award for restoring a historically significant building in Leland, which now serves as its branch office, and presented local members of the Potawatomi Nation with a proclamation; the chapter has additionally recognized area businesses for their display of patriotism, including WLBK Radio for playing the National Anthem twice daily; and

WHEREAS, The General John Stark Chapter engages in several events and programs, including participating in Constitution Week with displays in area public libraries, the Wreaths Across America program, the Wall That Heals project, and Honor Flights by escorting veterans to Washington D.C. to view war memorials; the chapter worked for the Red Cross and other organizations to help in the war efforts of World Wars I and II; the organization has further contributed to area food pantries and homeless shelters, the LaSalle Veterans' Home, Project Patriot, Veterans Day activities, and to the renovation of the Memorial Clock in DeKalb; the chapter continues to participate in cemetery cleanups and tending veterans' graves; it also works to research and preserve documents, records, relics, and the individual services of American Revolutionary War soldiers and patriots; and

WHEREAS, The current presiding officers of the General John Stark Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution are Regent Mary Pritchard, Vice Regent Deb Davey, Chaplain Judy Dettloff, Recording Secretary Cathy Walker, Corresponding Secretary Angela Brotcke, Treasurer Kathy Smith, Registrar Lisa Brandt, Historian Donna Willrett, and Librarian Theresa Winterbauer; and

WHEREAS, The General John Stark Chapter's impact within and outside its community is immeasurable, making it appropriate to celebrate and recognize this organization's growth, progress, perseverance, achievements, and accomplishments; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the General John Stark Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution on the 115th anniversary of its charter; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the General John Stark Chapter, and we congratulate the past and present presiding officers and members of the chapter; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the General John Stark Chapter as a symbol of our respect and esteem.