HR1069 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1069 LRB099 20959 GRL 45892 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Reverend Marvin E. Wiley on the occasion of his 25th anniversary with Rock of Ages Baptist Church and honor him for his achievements in his community; and

WHEREAS, On September 15, 1950, Rev. Thomas H. Wade, Sr., opened the doors of Rock of Ages Baptist Church in the Old Lycem Hall at 1309 Madison Street in Maywood; the church started with two members, his wife and his son; despite the church's meager start, Rock of Ages experienced great growth under the leadership of Rev. Wade; shortly after Rev. Wade passed away, Rev. Marvin E. Wiley was selected to carry on the vision of the church in March of 1991; Rev. Marvin E. Wiley brought a new and youthful spark to Rock of Ages Baptist Church; as a result, the membership increased at a phenomenal rate; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, a new multi-million dollar edifice was built for the congregation of Rock of Ages Baptist Church at the original location of the Old Lycem Hall, which has been recognized in the community as an organization that effectively ministers to the spiritual, emotional, financial, physical, and social needs of the community; since Pastor Marvin Wiley's installation, membership at Rock of Ages has grown from 400 to more than 4,000, and Vision of Restoration, Inc., was founded to restore the broken lives of residents in Maywood and the surrounding communities; in October of 2003, the ministry expanded to include a Saturday night worship in Bolingbrook to meet the needs of members and residents in the western suburban areas of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Under Pastor Marvin Wiley's leadership, the T.H. Wade Foundation Center, a four-level, multi-million dollar facility opened on Thanksgiving Day in 2004; this new 40,000 square-foot edifice offers many additional resources for training, education, and businesses; and

WHEREAS, In March of 2014, Rev. Marvin Wiley celebrated his 23rd anniversary as the pastor of the Rock of Ages Baptist Church and his 32 years in the pastorate; in recognition of his contributions to the communities that he serves, he was recognized in March of 2006 by the Village of Maywood with an honorary street sign that spans the corners of 12th and Madison through 14th and Madison Streets; he was also recognized in the 2006 inaugural edition of Who'S Who in Black Chicago, a publication showcasing the achievements of influential African-American leaders in the Chicagoland area, and was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia on April 3, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Marvin Wiley 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 Reverend Marvin E. Wiley on the occasion of his 25th anniversary with Rock of Ages Baptist Church, honor him for his achievements in his community, 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. Marvin Wiley as a symbol of our esteem and respect.