HR0291 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0291 LRB096 12431 KXB 25371 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize the Boys' Town of Italy international charity and the celebration of the 64th anniversary of Boys' Town of Italy; and

WHEREAS, Boys' Town of Italy was realized by the late founder, Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing, in 1945 and incorporated in 1951; and

WHEREAS, John Patrick Carroll-Abbing was born on August 11, 1912, and went to Rome in 1930 to study for the priesthood, where he resided until his passing in 2001; he served at the Vatican until the end of World War II in Europe, when he was given permission by Pope Pius XII to assist the refugee population of Italy; and

WHEREAS, He began by starting what he termed "Shoeshine Hotels" for the young street population of Rome; his uncritical reception of the boys eventually softened their interior dispositions toward each other and themselves; he fed and clothed over 180,000 children, but primarily he taught them to love; and

WHEREAS, His mission then became one of love, giving love and giving "a second chance in life" to the boys and girls of Italy whose lives had been disrupted and disfigured, first by the War, then by its aftermath, and eventually by multiple natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, Boys' Town of Italy has been supported by American charities for many years, aiding the many young people left orphaned by war, famine, poverty, neglect, terrorism, and abuse from across the globe; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank the men and women involved in helping Boys' Town of Italy and wish them continued success in their future endeavors towards this noble cause; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Boys' Town of Italy in Norridge as a symbol of our respect.