HR1660 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1660 LRB095 23235 GRL 53894 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The year 2008 marks the 35th anniversary of the Decatur Emanon Club, which was founded in 1973; and

WHEREAS, 35 years ago, a small group of African-American men from the Decatur area came together to address the need for more African-American professionals in the city in the areas of law, medicine, business, and other fields; and

WHEREAS, The original members of the Decatur Emanon Club were John Shaw, Charlie Jackson, Jacob Robinson, Horace Walker, Cornelius Diggs, and William Odeneal; the group's first President was Bill Oliver; and

WHEREAS, Starting with a passion to dedicate themselves to the community, the members of the Emanon Club still work to see the African-American community flourish, while also giving their time and money to the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Today, the club has 21 members; the group gives back to the community by making Christmas food baskets for the needy and volunteering for community events, such as the annual Juneteenth celebration and the Decatur Celebration; and

WHEREAS, The current members of the Decatur Emanon Club are President Carl Smith, Vice President Ron L. Wilson, Secretary James Billingsley, Treasurer Joe L. Rawls, Chaplain John E. Ross, Jasper Guthrie, Joe J. Fuller, Andrew Holder, William Oliver, Jackie Hayes, Howard Shakespear, Ivery Chambliss, James H. Billingsley, Robert Taylor, Ridley Miller, Greg Wade, Bobby McClain Jr., Jeff West, James B. Johnson, John E. Wilder, and Charles DeBerry; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Decatur Emanon Club on the occasion of the group's 35th anniversary and wish them continued success in their future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Carl Smith, President of the Decatur Emanon Club, as a symbol of our esteem and respect.