HR0583 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0583 LRB093 14661 KEF 40203 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives recognize Progressive Baptist Church of Aurora on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, In November of 1963, eleven faithful Christians began a prayer services in the home of Dan and Rosie Stewart, at 803 East Benton Street; out of the midst was born Progressive Baptist Church formally organized in December of that same year; armed with a strong Christian faith embodied in love, their vision led them onward with founding pastor, Reverend Robert Wesby; and

WHEREAS, Progressive Baptist Church has come this far by faith; this church was founded upon the principles of charity and liberation of the captives; the church immediately began to experience the manifestation of these challenges in that it endured two fires within the building of questionable origin, cross burnings in front of the church, bomb threats, endless obscene phone calls, as well as hate mail; the perils of these challenges were instrumental in drawing the church family even closer together; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Wesby was well known in the community as a civil rights crusader and social activist who was closely acquainted with such civil rights leaders as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Jesse Jackson; he was instrumental in establishing the Aurora Urban League as well as the first blood bank and the first food bank; he was the guiding force of the Church until his murder in July 1988; it was a great blow to the Church and the community; since then, the congregation has continued its ministry under the leadership of the Rev. Roy R. Brown, the current pastor and the second in the Church's history; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Brown, a retired corporate executive, has brought to Progressive an anointed Teaching/Preaching ministry that is moving Progressive Church to higher heights; he is known as a visionary leader with exceptional leadership, organizational, and administrative talents; and

WHEREAS, Progressive Baptist Church is a beacon of light in the Fox Valley community, unafraid to right the wrongs, to feed the poor, clothe the naked, demand civil liberties, speak for the less fortunate, and open it's doors to anyone considered disadvantaged; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Progressive Baptist Church on the occasion of its 40th anniversary of service and dedication to the Fox Valley community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Progressive Baptist Church Reverend Roy Brown as an expression of our respect and esteem.