HR0951 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0951 LRB098 20702 GRL 57514 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Village of Teutopolis is celebrating its Terquasquicentennial, the 175th anniversary of its founding, from July 26 to August 3, 2014; and

WHEREAS, The location of Teutopolis, on the old National Road in the northeastern part of Effingham County, was selected after 4 months' search through Illinois and Missouri by Clemens Uptmor, John Waschefort, and Gerhard Bergfeld in 1837; and

WHEREAS, Teutopolis was settled beginning in 1839 by members of the Deutsche Land-Compagnie, an association of 142 German immigrant families living in Cincinnati, Ohio; in 2014, it is the oldest town in Effingham County; and

WHEREAS, The arrival of the Franciscan priests and brothers in 1858, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1861, were key events in creating a strong, vital community that takes seriously both its relationship with God and its responsibilities to educate its children and work for the support of its families and cherishes its continuing connections with the Franciscans and the School Sisters of Notre Dame; and

WHEREAS, Teutopolis students continually excel in academics, always scoring among the top area schools, and far above the State average, in annual tests; in athletics, Teutopolis schools have won State championships in basketball, baseball, and track and too many trophies to count; much of this success is due to the efforts of a long line of dedicated teachers and coaches; and

WHEREAS, The Teutopolis business community thrives with over 100 enterprises, of which almost all are locally owned; the village has 58 working people for every 1,001 residents, making it one of the busiest towns in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Over many years, hundreds of men and women from Teutopolis have loyally served their country as members of the armed forces and 13 have given their lives in conflicts from the Civil War to the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, The fraternal and service organizations of Teutopolis have donated much time and effort and have generously raised and provided funds for a myriad of worthy causes in the community, the area, and beyond; these organizations include the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club, the Teutopolis Community for Progress, the Holy Name Society, the Council of Catholic Women, the Catholic Daughters of America, St. Francis Youth Council, the Catholic Heart Work Camp, American Legion Post 924, the Teutopolis Education Foundation, and Sportsbackers; and

WHEREAS, Today, Teutopolis stands as a shining example of the results of hard work, self-discipline, genuine care, and concern for one's family and neighbors; Teutopolis citizens live with respect for the past and vision for the future; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the citizens of the Village of Teutopolis on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the citizens of the Village of Teutopolis as a symbol of our respect and esteem.