HR1316 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1316 LRB093 24295 CSA 54569 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The General Assembly of the State of Illinois has always been concerned for the welfare of children, especially those who have no one to care for them; and

WHEREAS, In 1863, the General Assembly incorporated the Springfield Home for the Friendless in an effort to aid orphan children and widows left homeless by the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, This invaluable charitable undertaking has served for over one hundred and forty years and continues to serve the community at the same location as the Family Service Center of Sangamon County; and

WHEREAS, Today, the not-for-profit group still offers a helping hand to families in need through counseling services, adoption assistance, post-adoption service, foster care, and many other family-based outreaches; and

WHEREAS, In the original legislation approved February 12, 1863, the General Assembly appointed the following officers: Samuel H. Treat, President; George Pasfield, Sr., Vice President; George Bowen, Secretary; Jacob Bunn, Treasurer; Eliza Pope, Mercy Conklin, Louisa Dresser, Susan Cook, Lydia Williams, Elizabeth Bunn, Harriet Campbell, Ann Eastman, Maria Lathrop, Mary Hay, Catherine Hickox, Mary Ann Dennis, and Elizabeth Matheny, Board of Managers; and

WHEREAS, The long tradition of service continues under its current officers: Deborah Raupp, President; Danielle Outlaw, First Vice-President; Karola Beahringer, Second Vice-President; Carolyn York, Secretary; Jim Hagerman, Treasurer; Deb Woods, Immediate Past President; Shelby Alfonsi, Kevin Linder, Subhash Chaudhary, Janice Scharamm, and Thomas Wilson, Board of Directors; and Josie Rocco, Executive Director; and

WHEREAS, The Family Service Center was inducted into the Illinois State Historical Society's Centennial Awards in 2001 and has most recently been recognized by the City of Springfield for continuously serving the community for one hundred years or more; and

WHEREAS, The Family Service Center and its predecessors received funding from membership dues, gifts, and contributions from the community chest; today, financial support is generated from service fees, the United Way, governmental grants and contracts, and fundraising; with the establishment of the Family Service Center Endowment Fund through the Sangamon County Community Foundation, an additional promising destination has been created to insure the long-term viability of the Springfield community's oldest social service agency; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Family Service Center of Sangamon County, originally incorporated by the General Assembly as the Springfield Home for the Friendless, and its officers be recognized for their dedication and service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Board of Directors of the Family Service Center at its upcoming donor recognition reception at the Pasfield House on February 3, 2005, as an expression of our esteem.