HR0778 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0778 LRB103 40632 LAW 73326 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club (SCCC) on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, On May 21, 1924, SCCC was founded as the Springfield Ceramic Society by Springfield resident and initial president Mrs. Lewis Minor, who regularly hosted fashionable teas in her home for women interested in ceramic arts, especially hand-painting china; in 1928, the organization's name was changed to its current designation to reflect that its members' creative pursuits had grown into involving all arts and crafts; and

WHEREAS, During its early years, SCCC members would place their created craft items on display and meet with talented and influential citizens from the Greater Springfield Area, including fellow member Elizabeth Conner Lindsay, the wife of poet Vachel Lindsay; the club's first exhibit was held at the Lincoln Library for public viewing, and this practice of exhibiting items created by members still exists today at the annual Spring Table Setting Luncheon and Fall Holiday Market; and

WHEREAS, SCCC initiated its first table setting display in 1930, and the club later won first place at the 7th Annual Table Setting Tournament hosted by the Stix, Baer & Fuller store in St. Louis, Missouri in 1938, with the distinction of being the only club outside of the City of St. Louis invited to participate; the organization continues this tradition each spring at its annual Table Setting Luncheon, where new members display their table designs; and

WHEREAS, SCCC's current objective is the pursuit of teaching ceramics and crafts in their various phases, and through offering such instruction, the club seeks to become involved in charitable projects and programs that benefit the community in order to enhance educational and community services while simultaneously supporting a better understanding of art in the Greater Springfield Area; the organization's fundraising efforts have allowed continued funding of its community activities during its 100-year history; and

WHEREAS, SCCC members have reached hundreds of community members by donating their skills and talents to teach classes and provide funds to purchase art supplies; the club currently partners with Springfield area schools, the Sojourn Women's Center, the Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery, MERCY Communities, and Springfield Memorial and HSHS St. John's Hospitals; the organization has also donated thousands of dollars through its Youth Art Outreach Grant to aid art teachers working at Springfield area schools; and

WHEREAS, SCCC membership, which consists of individuals who primarily reside in Springfield and the Greater Springfield Area, has grown from its humble beginnings of 12 members in 1924 to 206 members today; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club (SCCC) on its 100th anniversary, and we recognize its members for their dedication to the arts and the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to SCCC as an expression of our esteem and respect.