HR0585 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0585 LRB099 12743 GRL 36536 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Rev. Dr. Reginald J. Saffo, Ph.D. of Bellwood on the occasion of his 20th anniversary as pastor of Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo is a native of Ohio; he later moved to the western suburbs of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo served his country with distinction as a member of the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo earned an Associate's Degree in Arts with Honors and a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree from Aspen Christian College; he later earned a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree from Governors State University and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Ministry from Aspen Christian Seminary; he also has completed specialized certification studies with the Evangelical Teacher Training Association, the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, and the Stephen Oxford Center for Biblical Preaching; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo worked in transportation management with the BNSF Railway Company for several years; for the past 20 years, he has served as Pastor of the United Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood, where he has tended to the needs of his congregation with integrity and dignity; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo has served as a faithful advocate for God's people, the communities where God's people live, and the quality of living that they gain; he has worked diligently for community betterment through his leadership, affiliation, and partnership with the Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle Transition Team, the Cook County Land Bank Board of Directors, the Bellwood Library Board, and the Executive Director Proviso Township Minister's Alliance Network; he has served as Executive Director of the Proviso Action Committee and Interfaith Illinois; he is a member of the Chicago Bar Association (Interfaith Committee) and the Chicago Neighborhood Initiative Advisory Board (Park National Bank); he is the founder of the Proviso Township Business Association, the founder and Chancellor of the United Faith Christian Institute and Bible College, and the Regional Director of Aspen Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo was a recipient of the NAACP Medal of Freedom Award; he is also the publisher of "Christian Formation Principles", a text guide in the structured study of the Bible; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rev. Dr. Reginald J. Saffo, Ph.D. of Bellwood on the occasion of his 20th anniversary as pastor of Missionary Baptist Church and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rev. Dr. Reginald Saffo as a symbol of our esteem and respect.