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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Dello D. 
4Thedford on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of music 
5ministry in East St. Louis and the Metro East area as Music 
6Clinician and Minister of Music; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Dr. Dello Thedford, the 
8Gospel Symphonic Choir was founded in 1996 and is composed of 
9individuals from the Metro-East Community and other 
10surrounding areas and will be celebrating 20 years of ministry; 
11the Gospel Symphonic Choir has been voted "Best New Artist" by 
12the Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America 
13and has been presented in concerts locally and nationally; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Dr. Dello Thedford, the 
15Gospel Symphonic Choir has appeared on national television at 
16the NFL Divisional Championship game; the Gospel Symphonic 
17Choir was the musical artist at the Martin Luther King 
18Celebration performed at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for three 
19consecutive years; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Dr. Dello Thedford, teacher, arranger, noted 
21composer, and conductor extraordinaire, serves as the Minister 
22of Music at Shalom Church City of Peace; under the seasoned 
 
 
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1musical direction of Dr. Thedford and prolific songwriter, 
2arranger, producer, and director Oscar Williams, the Choir was 
3nominated for a Stellar Award in 2015; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Dr. Dello Thedford, most-well known as the 
5Maestro, has ministered to the world and served over 22 years 
6as Minister of Music of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 
7East St. Louis and surrounding communities; he also served as 
8Ministry of Liturgy and Worship Director, Artistic Director, 
9Adjunct Professor of Music, Chairman of the Music Department, 
10Music Director for the Black Repertory Theatre, and vocal coach 
11for the Theater Program of Southern Illinois University of East 
12St. Louis Campus; he also taught in School District #189 and 
13was Music Chairman for the 1999 Billy Graham Crusade; and
 
14    WHEREAS, In 2016, Dr. Dello Thedford was awarded the 2016 
15Co-Fine Arts and Electives Teacher of the Year Award; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Dello Thedford currently serves as the 
17Department Head of Vocal Music and Performing Arts to promote 
18high achievement in fine arts and to provide students access to 
19the best possible vocal music training; he also serves as the 
20Music Director for the Youth Rally for the National Congress of 
21Christian Education of the National Baptist Convention USA 
22Inc.; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Dello Thedford serves as a model of hard work 
2and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; 
3therefore, be it
  
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
5NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
6congratulate Dr. Dello D. Thedford on the occasion of his 50th 
7anniversary of music ministry in East St. Louis and the Metro 
8East area and wish him continued success in the future; and be 
9it further
  
 
10    RESOLVED, That we designate October 30, 2016 as Dr. Dello 
11D. Thedford Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
13presented to Dr. Dello Thedford as a symbol of our esteem and 
14respect.