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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The George Cleveland Hall Branch of the Chicago 
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Public Library was named in honor of the late Dr. George 
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Cleveland Hall, a former member of the Chicago Public Library's 
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Board of Directors, activist, surgeon, and chief of staff for 
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Provident Hospital, who played a vital role in connecting the 
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African-American community with resources needed to learn, 
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live, thrive, and work; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Dr. George Cleveland Hall convinced a generous 
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philanthropist to support the library by donating funds to 
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purchase the property for a proposed library to serve a 
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predominately large African-American community located on the 
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south side of Chicago; and



 
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    WHEREAS, On January 18, 1932, the George Cleveland Hall 
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Branch Library opened to the public for service under the 
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direction of branch head Vivian Gordon Harsh, the first 
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appointed African-American librarian at the Chicago Public 
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Library and Charlemae Hill Rollins, a world-renowned 
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children's librarian, writer, and storyteller; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1984, the George Cleveland Hall Branch Library 
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was rededicated to the Bronzeville community after being 
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modernized and  refurbished; the Branch maintained the 
 


 






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integrity and beauty of the original architectural structure, 
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and added  a new spacious Young Adult Reading Room; and
 
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    WHEREAS, In 2000, the George Cleveland Hall Branch Library  
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was named a National Literary Landmark by the Friends of the 
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Library, USA, and the Illinois Center for the Book because of 
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its close association with distinguished African-American 
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authors and writers; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In celebration of 75 years of public service to 
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the Bronzeville community and the City of Chicago, the Chicago 
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Public Library, George Cleveland Hall Branch, and the Vivian G. 
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Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and 
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Literature will present a series of informative, entertaining 
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and educational programs and exhibits examining 
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African-American culture and history; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Chicago Public Library encourages and 
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supports all programs, services and activities associated with 
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the observance of the 75th "Diamond Jubilee" Anniversary; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the staff of the Chicago Public Library on the 
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75th anniversary of the George Cleveland Hall Branch; and we 
 


 






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extend our sincere appreciation to the Chicago Public Library 
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administration and staff for their support and diligence in 
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public service; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to a representative of the George Cleveland Hall 
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Branch of the Chicago Public Library.