HR0966

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the 
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State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Pastor James E. 
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Washington on being promoted to the office of Bishop in the 
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International Church of God in Christ; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Washington is currently the pastor of Saint 
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Paul Church of God in Christ in Rockford and Mount Calvary 
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Church of God in Christ in Freeport; the journey to promotion 
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began in February of this year with a recommendation for the 
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position; Pastor Washington completed the training institute 
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for the office in March of 2004; the General Assembly, the 
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governing body of the International Church of God in Christ, 
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ratified the appointment in April of 2004; he will be installed 
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in a consecration service on Monday, May 24, 2004 at 
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Jurisdictional Headquarters in Chicago; the consecration 
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service will be conducted by the Presiding Prelate of the 
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International Church of God in Christ, Bishop Gilbert E. 
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Patterson; and

 
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    WHEREAS, On Tuesday, May 25, 2004, Pastor Washington will 
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assume responsibility for Illinois Fifth West Jurisdiction and 
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will be the leader of churches included in that jurisdiction; 
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the jurisdiction is a member assembly of the International 
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Church; the International Church of God in Christ has a 
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membership of 6,000,000 people worldwide and is the fourth 
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largest religious body in the world; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Washington is a progressive and visionary 
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leader in the Freeport and Rockford community; he will bring 
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innovative and visionary administrative skills to the office of 
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Bishop; he received his call to ministry in February of 1961; 
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he served as assistant pastor for 15 years to Bishop Freeman 
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Guy Green; he was installed as Pastor at Saint Paul Church of 
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God in Christ in July of 1981; he has established 25 ministries 
 


 






HR0966
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through his work at that church; he has led the building of new 
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edifices, the purchase and establishment of coaches for S.P. 
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Charter Service, and several projects through Hands that Help, 
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Inc.; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Washington was installed as Pastor of Mount 
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Calvary Church of God in Christ in 1998; he has established 10 
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ministries as a result of his work with that church; under his 
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leadership, land has been purchased for a new facility and 
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plans are in the works; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Washington is active in his communities; in 
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Rockford, he is a Vice President of the Rockford Ministers' 
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Fellowship, a past president of the Northern Illinois Southern 
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Wisconsin Pentecostal, and a member of the C.N.O. (Council of 
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Neighborhood Organizations); in Freeport, he is a member of the 
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Freeport African American Ministers United for Change; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pastor Washington is married to Georgia Mae Lovett 
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Washington; he is the father of Yolanda and Vincent and the 
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extended family of Cabria and Kina; he has five grandchildren 
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and many godchildren; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate Pastor James E. Washington on being promoted to 
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the office of Bishop in the International Church of God in 
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Christ; and be it further

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