HR0678 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0678 LRB095 13196 KXB 38853 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize the 2007 Jefferson County Senior Saints Hall of Fame inductees; and

WHEREAS, Edward Percy Atkinson is responsible for starting the little league program in Mount Vernon, delivers Meals on Wheels almost every Sunday, and rings the bells at Epworth Methodist Church in memory of his mother; and

WHEREAS, Marcus Garvey Blakemore is an assistant pastor at the First Church of God, where he witnesses over the television and radio airwaves, and also visits those in prison; he works with the Ministerial Alliance, the NAACP, the Lion's Club, the Red Cross, the Masonic Lodge, and other organizations that help others; and

WHEREAS, Arline Dare Howard started her family at the early age of sixteen, worked to support her family after her husband became disabled, and, at 90 years of age, continues to volunteer at Saint Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital and work the polls during elections; and

WHEREAS, Betty McKenzie and her husband raised three children, and then took in two nephews after their parents died and raised them; together with her husband, they raised funds to erect a veterans memorial in Woodlawn; Betty was a teacher and still continues to substitute teach, volunteer at First Baptist Church and Chapman Sports Complex, and cook meals for those in need; and

WHEREAS, Donna Devea Mestel coached kids in swimming for many years; she also taught gymnastics and tumbling; she helped kids through the 4-H program; in spite of MS and macular degeneration she continues to coach from her wheelchair, amazing the people around her with her determination and drive; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Miles served as a music director at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mount Vernon; after serving in other states and Japan, he and his family returned to Mount Vernon; he and his wife became involved in Illinois Disaster Relief, aiding people victimized by Hurricane Katrina; they aided people in Mount Vernon following the storm that hit the community in July of 2006; he also serves on the board of Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity, building homes for those in need; and

WHEREAS, Margaret Nathlich has been involved with Meals on Wheels since its beginnings in the area; she is a member of the Jefferson County Home Extension; she works with the American Cancer Society, organizing the annual Relay for Life events; she volunteers at Saint Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital and works through her church, Faith Lutheran Church, at the Twice As Nice resale shop and organizing the annual Holiday Bazaar; and

WHEREAS, Joe Bob Pierce has served as a pastor for over eighteen years in various churches; he currently serves as President of the Illinois Baptist State Association; he serves on the Board for the United Methodist Children's Home, as a Deacon at Logan Street Baptist Church, on the Chaplaincy Program at Crossroads Community Hospital, and has donated land for future construction to Habitat for Humanity; and

WHEREAS, Thomas A. Puckett is a local historian and worked to preserve Jefferson County history; he was instrumental in moving the Southern Railroad Depot and beginning the Jefferson County Historical Museum; he served on numerous boards such as the Oakwood and Old Union Cemeteries, Shiloh Township, First Baptist Church, Central Christian Church, the American Legion, and Amvet's; and

WHEREAS, Jack and Ann Overstreet have both served on the Mount Vernon Township High School Board; they have both volunteered at the Jefferson County Historical Society; they are active members of the Mount Vernon Church of Christ; they volunteer for the American Red Cross, working on blood drives throughout the area; in addition, they sing Karaoke to the seniors at Greentree Assisted Living Center and raise money for the Mount Vernon Township High School Gridiron Booster Club; and

WHEREAS, Earl Spohr has served on various positions in local government, including Mayor of Woodlawn and as a member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce; he works with various organizations, including the Illinois Department on Aging, the Jefferson County Shrine Club, the Midwest Medicare Advisory Council, and others; he was named by Crossroads Community Hospital as the Volunteer of the Year in 2006; he also transports area children to Shriners Hospital in St. Louis and is a regular volunteer with the American Red Cross blood drives; and

WHEREAS, Mose Curtis Stokes, Jr. is retired from the United States Navy, where he retired with the rank of Chief Petty Officer after 21 years; he has been a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church for 62 years and serves as a Deacon; he helped develop the food pantry and other community-based programs through his church; he is Vice President of the Illinois State Baptist Brotherhood, and has served on the South Central Transit system; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the 2007 inductees into the Jefferson County Senior Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to each inductee as a symbol of our respect and admiration.