HR0994LRB102 29471 LAW 41474 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to recognize Preston G. Smith on his 50 
4years of service to the citizens of East Central Illinois as a 
5community banker; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Preston Smith began his community banking career 
7in 1972, serving as assistant vice president at First National 
8Bank in Greenville; he later joined Central National Banks of 
9Mattoon in 1979; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Preston Smith purchased, along with a group of 
11community-minded investors, The First National Bank of 
12Mulberry Grove in Mulberry Grove in 1989, serving as president 
13and chairman of the board of directors; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Preston Smith significantly helped develop The 
15First National Bank of Mulberry Grove when the announcement 
16was made to open a banking center in Mattoon in 1998, with the 
17bank's name being shortened to The First National Bank; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Preston Smith led The First National Bank's 
19significant growth and investment in the community and began 
20construction on a new facility in Mattoon to better serve East 
21Central Illinois, opening The First National Bank Wealth 
 
 
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1Management and Broadway Banking Center in 2017; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Preston Smith remained president and chairman of 
3the board until the bank was sold to Washington Savings Bank in 
4Effingham in August 2021, and he continues to serve as a 
5consultant; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Preston Smith has been actively involved in his 
7community and has served on many boards of directors, 
8including the Mattoon Area Family YMCA, the Mattoon Chamber of 
9Commerce, and Lakeland Community College; he is also a member 
10of numerous civic groups; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Preston Smith served as a member of the Federal 
12Delegate Board for the Independent Community Bankers of 
13America (ICBA) from 2010 to 2016; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Preston Smith has been an active member of the 
15Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI), serving as 
16chairman of the board from 2004 to 2005; he is dedicated to 
17CBAI's mission of keeping community banks competitive for the 
18benefit of their customers and the communities they serve 
19through delivery of quality education, effective 
20representation, and essential products and services; 
21therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
2HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
3we recognize Preston G. Smith on his 50 years in community 
4banking and wish him many more wonderful years; and be it 
5further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to Preston Smith as an expression of our esteem and 
8respect.